NCDOT targeting women- and minority-owned small businesses for contracts

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is looking to level the playing field when it comes to giving out contract work, leading a year-long effort to help disadvantaged businesses take on jobs with the state.

Some owners of those businesses say that, while the move won’t fix historical discrimination in contract work overnight, it’s a step in the right direction.

“We’re encouraged that we’re going to see more contracts come to the small businesses and that the minority businesses will be a part of this,” said Dahne Walker, independent project manager of Macon-based KPH Paving and Landscaping.

DOT launched a plan this year to bring equity to how the department gives out contracts for roadwork, specifically targeting disadvantaged businesses, a federal term for companies that are majority-owned and operated by women or minorities and bring in an average of under $24 million a year in the most recent three-year period.

“The big boys that get the big contracts, they already know where to find contracting opportunities. They have a lot of infrastructure and equipment, but it’s the smaller companies that may be doing other business,” DOT spokesman Andrew Barksdale said.

Nearly 300 representatives for disadvantaged businesses came out for meetings in June and September, where DOT showed them how to get certified to work with the state and which jobs bigger companies aren’t allowed to go after.

Walker said KPH depends on contract work to stay afloat.

"The payments on the trucks are due. The equipment payments are due. The materials payments are due,” she said. “So, it is very important for cash flow, as well as the ultimate bottom line.”

Walker says she’s pleased to see the state taking steps to help women- and minority-owned businesses apply for jobs, but she can’t call the plan a success until the contracts start going their way.

“I think that this initiative will get the word out to the small businesses, but ultimately, we need to see better participation or goals being spearheaded by NCDOT,” she said.

Barksdale said the DOT is working to collect data on how many contracts have been awarded under the initiative.

The next meetings for disadvantaged business owners will be in January, but businesses can also get certified before then on the DOT website.