The City of Rock Island is working with Augustana College to study Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contractors within the area that perform work on public works projects.

DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.  African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged.  Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis.  To be regarded as economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a personal net worth less than $1.32 million. 

The City of Rock Island is currently seeking DBE contractors to be placed on a list for consideration on future city projects.  In order to be included, the DBE must provide the City with the following information:

• Name of DBE firm
• Owner’s Name
• Business Address
• Work that the DBE performs (concrete paving, landscaping, traffic control, etc.)
• Contact information (phone number and/or e-mail address)