Delaware officials announced last week that the state would join 12 other states as part of the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) to create opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs).
Nicole Majeski, Delaware’s Secretary of Transportation, joined Carlos Monje, Undersecretary of Transportation for Policy, and officials from the Department of Transportation from four other states to join the project they said would build generational wealth and reduce the racial wealth gap by creating more economic opportunities.
The states signed a pledge to increase the number, size, and percentage of HUBs becoming prime contractors or participating as larger participants in infrastructure investments by December 2025. HUBs include firms designated as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises, and Small Business Enterprises.
“As we continue the work to ensure that state government is inclusive, diverse and representative of all Delawareans, we are also committed to doing the same with our business community who provide services for all our state agencies,” said Delaware’s Gov. John Carney.
EIP was co-founded in 2021 by Phillip Washington, Denver International Airport CEO, and John Porcari, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, in anticipation of the $1.2 trillion investment into infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and President Joe Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to provide increased funding to underserved and disadvantaged communities.
“I am proud Delaware is one of 13 states to have signed this pledge. This furthers DelDOT’s commitment to equity in transportation by expanding opportunities for HUBs across our state,” Majeski said. “Over the course of this year, we are implementing new training opportunities, streamlining our process, and creating specific contracts tailored towards advancing HUBs.”