DBE Contracting Update - US 41 DBE Advisory Committee: Representing All Communities

DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

July 2009

US 41 DBE Advisory Committee: Representing All Communities

US 41 DBE Advisory Committee As you can imagine, it takes many spokes in the wheel to keep a transportation project the size of US 41 rolling. But who do those spokes represent? How many of them are disadvantaged Business Enterprises? That is determined, in part, by the DBE Advisory Committee whose hard work takes place even before any ground is broken.

The US 41 DBE Advisory Committee, led by Kevin Chesnik, Administrator of WisDOT's Division of Transportation System Development, plays the lead role in the education and outreach. "Our goal is to involve the community and encourage business growth and development on the US 41 Project," said Gwen Carr, 41 Outreach Coordinator and Tribal Liaison for WisDOT's Northeast Region.

Three sub-committees to the DBE Advisory Committee are also at work:

The business development sub-committee represents contractor organizations, elected officials, the federal government and the WisDOT. It analyzes the potential for DBE involvement, recommends DBE goals for each contract and advises on policy issues.

The labor development sub-committee reviews issues affecting the equitable workforce participation of women and minorities. It also recommends strategies and assesses labor/workforce participation in reaching DBE goals.

The tribal sub-committee helps raise the level of awareness and involvement on the part of Wisconsin's Indian tribes; particularly because four of the state's 11 tribes are located within a50 mile radius of the corridor. One way they accomplish this is by helping Indian businesses both on and off the reservation become DBE certified.

Chad Waukechon, chair of the tribal sub-committee, says that 64 Indian businesses certified as DBEs have been identified in the region. He estimates 40 percent of those firms could play a role in construction. "WISDOT is really taking a leadership role in assisting American Indian and other minority communities to succeed in this major project.

"We're reaching out to US 41 neighbors and neighborhood businesses - sharing our plans and goals (and) connecting with minority communities," Reuben Anthony, Deputy Secretary WisDOT.