The Florida Department of Transportation is receiving $600,000 as part of $11.6 million in grants aimed at helping disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) compete for federal highway contracts. The grants are being awarded to 30 state agencies and Puerto Rico.

The grants from the Federal Highway Administration’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) program provide federal aid to DBE firms to improve their ability to compete for and fulfill federal highway contracts.

Since1982, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has promoted the participation of DBEs in federal-aid highway contracts through state-managed programs. The DBE/SS grants are part of an ongoing federal effort to help state departments of transportation train certified DBE firms on a wide range of business management practices, including procurement assistance and guidance on securing bonding. The goal of the program is to help DBEs successfully compete for federal highway projects.

A DBE is a for-profit, small business owned by minorities, women, or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or, in the case of a corporation, in which 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. The daily business operations must be controlled by at least one of the socially and economically disadvantaged owners. More information about DBE eligibility can be found on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.

States receiving awards include:

• Alabama, $373,950 and $384,312

• Alaska, $185,381

• Arizona, $750,000

•  Arkansas, $194,864

• California, $1,000,000

• Connecticut, $391,320

• Delaware, $262,500

• Florida, $600,000

• Idaho, $97,900

• Illinois, $912,600

• Indiana, $603,499

• Kansas, $175,000

• Kentucky, $150,500

• Maryland, $300,000

• Michigan, $475,000

• Mississippi, $485,900

• Montana, $232,190

• New Mexico, $218,500

• North Carolina, $514,900

• Ohio, $430,500

• Oklahoma, $41,166

• Pennsylvania, $455,652

• Puerto Rico, $92,500

• South Carolina, $258,383

• Tennessee, $600,000

• Vermont, $150,000

• Washington, $309,096

• Wyoming, $160,397