Department of Transportation (DOT) officials said $11.2 million in grant funding via the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) would help minority and women-owned businesses compete for federal highway contracts.
Grants from the Fiscal Year 2019 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) program aid eligible small businesses in 47 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
A DBE is defined, per guidelines, as a for-profit, small business owned by minorities, women or other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or, in the case of a corporation, one in which 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals.
Additionally, officials indicated daily business operations must be controlled by at least one of the socially and economically disadvantaged owners.
“Grants like these help small business owners create jobs while keeping costs low, which is a powerful way to help strengthen the American economy,” Federal Highway Administrator Nicole R. Nason said.
The grant initiative serves as a continual effort by the FHWA to help state departments of transportation train certified DBE firms regarding business management practices, officials
said, including procurement assistance and guidance on securing bonding.
The FHWA has promoted the participation of DBEs in federal-aid highway contracts through state-managed programs since 1982, per authorities.