DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

September 2008

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Contractors invited to attend I-94 contractors workshop and MBE conference back-to-back

WisDOT and the Department of Commerce are coordinating efforts to invite contractors to attend two important events to highlight minority business opportunities in Wisconsin. Both events will be held at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel, 4747 S Howell Avenue in Milwaukee on consecutive days, October 1 & 2.

I-94 workshop to highlight next two years of opportunities
On Wednesday, October 1, WisDOT will host a contractors workshop to review plans and schedules for 2009 and 2010 on the I-94 North-South Corridor in southeast Wisconsin.

Preliminary work for the 35-mile, $1.9 billion project is getting underway this fall. Major construction will begin on the frontage road system in Kenosha County and for cross routes and other locations in Milwaukee County in early 2009. The entire project calls for expanding the freeway from six to eight lanes and rebuilding the Mitchell Interchange in Milwaukee by 2016.

At the workshop, WisDOT will identify the proposed construction timetable and likely contracting packages for calendar years 2009 and 2010. Contractors will be able to identify types and magnitude of work on the project to better prepare for future bidding opportunities. The session will also include networking time for potential prime and subcontractors, including DBE firms, to meet and begin to discuss partnering opportunities.

There is no charge for the workshop, but contractors are asked to register to help WisDOT prepare for space and materials. For more information or to register, contact Debra Evers of WisDOT's SE Region at (262) 548-6767.

Marketplace 2008 to focus on statewide MBE opportunities
The Wisconsin Department of Commerce will host the Marketplace 2008 conference on October 2, also at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel. Marketplace is the Governor's conference on minority business development and is especially targeted to minority business enterprise (MBE) firms.

Marketplace 2008 will offer financial prospecting opportunities, business education workshops and sales and marketing sessions, with registration opening at 7:00 am. Governor Jim Doyle is the invited speaker at a luncheon awards banquet. Michael Thompson, President and CEO of Fair Oaks Farms, LLC, will be the conference keynote speaker and share from his longtime experience in the McDonald's Corporation and more recently as leader of one the top food manufacturing firms in Wisconsin.

For information or for registration materials for Marketplace 2008 call the Department of Commerce at (608) 267-9550.