King County will become a national leader in supporting LGBT-owned small businesses under an inclusive policy announced by Executive Dow Constantine.

King County will become the largest county in the United States to track the number of contracts that are awarded to LGBT entrepreneurs, an approach that has dramatically increased the number and value of contracts awarded to local small businesses owned by women, people of color, and people who are disadvantaged during Constantine’s administration.

“We are once again putting King County at the national forefront of social change and justice,” said Constantine in a county media release. “We are stronger when we reduce barriers to opportunity so everyone can fully participate in our economy. By supporting local LGBT entrepreneurs, we are making progress toward a just, equitable society.”

King County will now include an LGBT category in its directory of small businesses, making it easier for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender businesses to support one another. Local and national business associations say the move will have a positive impact on economic activity in the region and predict that other metropolitan regions will follow King County’s lead.

“King County continues a long tradition of creating greater access to the American Dream for the thousands of LGBT business owners who live and work there,” said Justin Nelson, co-founder and President of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. “By offering an equal seat at the table to bid on King County contracts, we will see the same surge in the job creation, industry innovation, and contributions to the local economy that LGBT businesses owners have earned acclaim for across this country. King County is now committed to enhancing the visibility of its thriving LGBT business community.”

The county’s successful Small Contractors and Suppliers program has more than doubled the number and value of contracts awarded to local small businesses since Constantine took office. The number of certified small contractors has increased from just over 1,100 in 2010 to more than 2,300 last year. The value of small business contracts over that same period has increased from $23 million to $47.3 million.

Contracts are awarded to businesses that score the highest in the competitive process, regardless of race, gender or sexual identity. What King County has done is increase the number and diversity of small businesses competing for contracts by reaching out to small business owners that have historically been excluded and making the procurement process more accessible.

Now the county will expand the approach to include LGBT small business owners to increase visibility and create a more equitable environment. By creating a directory of LGBT-owned small businesses, King County will also better connect local business owners, acting as a catalyst for economic activity.

This announcement is the culmination of work that started during Constantine’s first term when he committed to reforming county operations, which evolved into what is now known as the Best Run Government initiative. One of the achievements was transforming the procurement process to make it more convenient for businesses. Today, for example, small businesses can enroll in a single program to compete for contracts awarded by King County, Port of Seattle, Sound Transit and Seattle colleges.

With a population of more than 2.1 million residents, King County is the 13th-largest county in the United States. It will be just the second county, after Essex County in New Jersey, to track how many contracts are awarded to businesses owners who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Only two states—Massachusetts and California—include an LGBT category in their procurement policies.