The Illinois Department of Transportation is planning to host its 34th “Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward” conference February 26 and 27.
[Above image by Illinois DOT]
Sponsored by the agency’s Office of Business and Workforce Diversity, this conference provides minority- and women-owned businesses with opportunities to make connections and develop skills to grow and succeed.
“With record investments in our statewide transportation system, it is more important than ever that we create opportunities for people to build careers, grow their businesses, and participate fully in our engineering and construction programs,” said Acting Illinois DOT Secretary Gia Biagi in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that minority- and women-owned businesses are supported and successful and we ask the entire contracting community be part of that effort.”
The agency noted that its “Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward” meeting offers workshops to build skills, seminars on best practices and networking opportunities for firms and contractors wanting to do business with Illinois via the state’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or DBE program.
Conference topics include regulatory updates, funding opportunities, “getting paid” and jobsite safety. Industry leaders and Illinois DOT staff also will be leading sessions on how to bid on, participate in and deliver projects.
Many state departments of transportation provide a wide array of support to DBE programs.
For example, in May 2024, the New Mexico Department of Transportation launched an inaugural Small Business Training and Resources or “STAR” program; a 14-week course designed to provide support and resources for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or DBEs and other small businesses seeking to work with NMDOT.
The STAR program will guide participants through corrections and improvements to any financial, managerial, technical, or labor conditions which could potentially prevent them from receiving project contracts. The agency added that the program’s “carefully crafted curriculum” is designed to ensure that participants receive a comprehensive learning experience tailored to their unique business needs.
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