Program offers work

Monroe city government is looking for more than a few small businesses owned by minorities or women.

Work awaits.

That’s because of the city’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. That city has an annual goal of 12 percent DBE participation on all city projects, which opens the door to small minority businesses to compete for jobs that often would go to larger companies.

Among the business owners who have taken advantage of the program is Ron Calhoun, whose R K Construction company has been involved in several city projects, including work on the Monroe Regional Airport. He is now working on the construction of the city’s new fire station there.

Calhoun credits the DBE program for making it possible to be on the worksite, providing his company exposure and experience, making it easier for the company to get the next project.

“The DBE program really helps because more than likely I would not have been able to do a job of that size at the airport. We are able to get a piece of these projects, and that helps,” Calhoun said. “The opportunities are there. Like in any business, there are challenges, and being a small business, trying to get operating capital — that’s one of the biggest things.”

The city has more than 20 DBEs it can choose to use on city projects, but city officials say they would like to have a bigger pool of qualified businesses participating in the program.

At 9:30 a.m. Aug. 19, a DBE in-service workshop will be held at the Monroe Convention Center.

DBEs are for-profit small businesses where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51 percent interest and also control management and daily business operations. This may include African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and women. Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis.

To participate in the DBE program, a small business owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals must receive DBE certification from the state.

Mayor Jamie Mayo said the workshop is to help DBE businesses get proper certification and contract procurement opportunities with larger companies throughout the city and region.

Times have changed. People can work from their home, use cloud-based resources, especially for technology-based enterprises, and greatly reduce the cost for starting a new business. It may be easier to start a business, but sustaining one requires contacts and contracts.

The city offers qualified business owners that opportunity through its DBE program, committed to helping small businesses prosper. If you fit the criteria, consider the workshop, the first step toward getting the certification to participate. The work that awaits could be yours.

The editorials in this column represent the opinions of The News-Star’s editorial board, composed of General Manager and Executive Editor Kathy Spurlock, Engagement and Community Content Editor Hope Young, Watchdog and Content Coach Mark Henderson and Business and Politics Reporter Greg Hilburn.