Major African-American construction companies in other cities could play a major role in helping local black-owned companies grow in size and capacity through a new organization called ACCESS.
ACCESS, the Association for Construction Career, Education and Support Services, was established to promote the construction industry workforce and promote minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses.
James Webb, St. Louis Minority Business Council president, said Tuesday at a press conference announcing ACCESS that the program is “ambitious.”
“Some major black firms will have to carry bonds. We’re talking firms with at least $50 million capacity,” Webb said.
“There are black-owned firms in this region that have this capacity. We will be reaching out to cities such as Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit, as well.”
Webb said the potential partnerships “will help give our (local black-owned companies) experience. It will help our second-tier companies move up to first tier.”
In 2003, the Minority Business Council, MOKAN and Metro transit agency brought together other public private and not-for-profit organizations to form the Regional Economic Review Council.
In its effort to create “a fair and equitable business environment,” the ACCESS organization concept was developed.
Larry Salci, Metro president and CEO, called ACCESS “the right thing to do for all the right reasons.”
“It will be an access point for contractors and for the community,” Salci said.
Harry Moppins, director of MBE Services for the Minority Business Council, is ACCESS’ inaugural chairman of the board.
“This will benefit the entire region,” Moppins said.
“We’re not going to look back at the past. We are going to go forward. We will build new, better and stronger relationships.”
That past included minority business owners and supporters staging a peaceful protest by blocking Interstate 70 in 1999 and several other threats to shut down other roadways. The cause of each showdown was lack of minority participation on major highway and road projects.
Metro has also been the target of demonstrations and ultimatums to increase its use of minority-owned contractors and subcontractors.
Moppins said the ACCESS program “will provide specific information we have not had before.”
Webb said that information would examine what projects are likely to be bid five years or more in the future.
“Companies can start preparing now to bid on those contracts of the future,” Webb said.
The ACCESS office is located at the Washington University North Campus, 700 Rosedale, Suite 1611.
It will host the annual Construction Career Day on October 5 where hundreds of high school students and parents will be introduced to possible careers in the construction trades.