Date:  Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Contact:  Reyne’ McBride, Office of Equal Opportunity, 360-705-7085

OLYMPIA – Construction contractors and subcontractors are invited to attend a “Meet and Greet” event this week in Seattle where they can network and learn more about Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and other programs and services for minority and women-owned businesses.

The event is being hosted by the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Construction office. The date, time and location of the event are:

Friday, Oct. 30
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus
Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center/Apprenticeship & Education Center
6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle

“One of the ways we can help disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses is by hosting events that draw in both prime contractors and subcontractors so that they can network and begin building work relationships,” said WSDOT Office of Equal Opportunity Director Brenda Nnambi. “The events also give us a venue to talk about WSDOT’s programs and other assistance and resources that are available to them.”

WSDOT will provide information about how these programs relate to highway construction projects:

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise – a program to increase the opportunities for qualified minority and women-owned small businesses to participate in federally-funded projects
• On-the-Job Training Support Services
• Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance

In addition, breakout sessions will feature information about the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assurance program. The Recovery Act provided $20 million for DBE bonding assistance. The funds can be used to reimburse small and disadvantaged companies for bonding fees and payments.

To reserve a spot, RSVP to DBESS@wsdot.wa.gov. More information can be found on WSDOT Web: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/EqualOpportunity/ContractorMeetGreet.htm

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