Small Business Advocacy Center (SBAC)

The Small Business Advocacy Center was launched by SDBA in 2016 to increase economic opportunities and racial equity in the public contracting process by preparing local minority...
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About Small Business Advocacy Center (SBAC)

The Small Business Advocacy Center was launched by SDBA in 2016 to increase economic opportunities and racial equity in the public contracting process by preparing local minority contractors and residents to maintain jobs and contracts with major construction projects in Detroit and the metropolitan area. Support includes but not limited to networking, one-on-one intensive coaching, placement into apprenticeships, training, and certifications.

Since it’s inception in 2016, the SBAC has expanded in scope to address the demand in technical assistance needs of local businesses and budding entrepreneurship in Southwest Detroit. The immigrant population in Detroit is a driving force behind small business economic development and job creation. In promoting an attractive, safe, and vibrant commercial Southwest Detroit and stimulating the local economy via jobs, tax base, and customer attraction, the SBAC has specifically developed programming targeted to address barriers in the most challenged industries and among the highest concentration of businesses in southwest Detroit: Retail Food Service and Construction/Consulting.

Accomplishments

Among 263 residents engaged in the direct job placement track in 2017:

  • 139 secured a job, earning an average hourly rate of $13.03
  • Of these 139 people, 121 were still employed after 6 months Among 121 companies engaged in 2017 :
  • 4 became DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certified
  • 1 became MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) Prequalified
  • 16 graduated from the USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) Bonding and Education Program (BEP)

Program Model

The SBAC has developed an entirely new model that has never been done before. This model has three components, which are helping to achieve the initiative’s intended outcomes to increase eligibility and participation of Detroit-based residents and DBEs in local construction projects as well as influence system-level changes for racial equity in the industry’s policies and practices.

1. System Level

VISIBILITY

  • Work directly with USDOT, MDOT, and the Partnership for Diversity and Opportunity in Transportation (PDOT)
  • Attend industry-related conferences and events

RACIAL EQUITY
Raise awareness of systemic racism and reduce discriminatory practices in the industry

NETWORK
Build relationships with leading prime contractors in the industry via PDOT and industry events

PARTNER
Replicate new industry-led and industry-driven model with interested primes

2. Residents

RECRUITMENT
Word of mouth

OUTREACH
Host workforce development intake sessions

ASSESSMENT

  • If barriers: refer to external resources and partners
  • If eligible: enroll and assign to a track

TRAINING & JOBS
Track 1: Job placement
Track 2: Pre-apprenticeship
Track 3: Apprenticeship
Track 4: Entrepreneurship & Business Development

3. Contractors

OUTREACH
Follow up with BEP graduates and engage new contractors

ASSESSMENT
Determine barriers to bid on infrastructure projects

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING
Provide technical assistance, training workshops, and resources for professional needs such as liability insurance, bonding, business planning, proposals and bidding, MDOT prequalification, and DBE certification

BIDDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Track MDOT lettings (industry jobs to bid on) to match with subcontractors and assist them in submitting a competitive proposal to prime contractors

ENSURE INCLUSION OF DBEs
– Provide a pool of qualified and capable DBE contractors to connect to stakeholders
– Follow MDOT process to investigate and ensure prime contractors are actively engaging DBE subcontractors in their proposals

For additional information on this project, contact the following team member.
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Marco A. Andrade Jr.

Business Development Manager

marcoa@southwestdetroit.com
313-842-0986 Ext 1001