Rochester Specialty Contractors, Circle Optics, Farmhouse Table Lead 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards List of 50 Fastest-Growing Small MWBEs
Inaugural List of Fastest-Growing, Privately-Owned, Small Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises Headquartered in Greater Rochester
ROCHESTER, NY (May 2, 2024) – Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce announced the rankings for its inaugural MWBE Awards on Thursday, May 2nd at an awards ceremony at the Floreano Convention Center. Over 450 business and community leaders joined us to celebrate the honorees, as well as other newly certified minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in Monroe County. Rochester Specialty Contractors took the number one spot on the 2024 list and has provided innovative construction and contracting services to the Greater Rochester region since 2012. 360° imaging technology provider Circle Optics, Inc. and farm-to-table catering company Farmhouse Table, LLC rounded out the top three.
To propel an environment of equitable economic growth and empowerment, the Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of our region's fastest-growing small MWBEs, highlighting their ongoing success. Greater Rochester Chamber accounting partner Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP determines MWBE Award rankings based upon dollar and percentage revenue growth over a three-year period. All revenue information received is kept in the strictest of confidence and is not made public.
“The 50 honorees on our inaugural MWBE Awards list are a critical part of our Greater Rochester economy and business community. It is our honor to create this awards program to celebrate their remarkable stories,” said Greater Rochester Chamber President & CEO Bob Duffy. “They are the fastest-growing small business MWBEs thanks to their leadership, employees, and customers. Despite the struggles that underrepresented groups face, these organizations are not only growing, but thriving and investing in our region. We are grateful to our MWBE Award honorees for making the Greater Rochester region the vibrant community it is. Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate on Thursday, and to all our sponsors, partners, and supporters for making this first-annual recognition possible.”
To be eligible for the Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards, businesses must be independent, privately held, headquartered in the Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes region, have a revenue between $100,000 and $20,000,000 in each of the three most recent fiscal years, and have a minimum of 51% ownership, operation, and control by minorities and/or women. The program celebrates economic progress for all employers, regardless of their background.
The Top 50 MWBEs, ranked by growth percentage, collectively generated $130 million in local revenues. These businesses span a diverse array of industries, with service prominently represented by 53% of the 50 companies, and construction coming in as the second highest industry represented with 28% of the total revenues.
Additionally at the ceremony on Thursday, Monroe County recognized its newest 231 certified MWBEs. Monroe County is committed to providing opportunities for underutilized businesses to grow, build capacity, and create generational wealth. To see a complete list of the newly certified MWBEs, please see here in the event publication.
“Supporting minority and women-owned businesses is important to our economy and boosts our workforce. Our MWBE certification program ensures more business owners have a fair shot at being awarded county contracts,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Congratulations to the businesses certified in 2023; they join 500 businesses that have received MWBE certification since our program’s inception.”
The application process for the 2025 Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards will begin in November 2024 and will be open through February 2025. For more information, contact Greater Rochester Chamber Events Director Susan George at Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.