Access and Opportunity Network

The website provides support for developers and construction companies working on MHIC-financed projects, and makes it easier for them to comply with hiring goals. More broadly, the Access and Opportunity Network website provides resources for finding qualified MBEs based in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for a range of jobs in the building trades.... It has a manual on Best Practices, examples of company Minority Participation and Diversity Plans, links to organizations such as the Massachusetts Minority Contractors Association , case studies and news related to the field. Perhaps most importantly, the website has a downloadable data base of MBEs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, broken down by sub-specialties, and direct links to directories of state-certified MBEs. For noncertified companies that want more work on construction projects, the website provides guidance on how to get certified as well as the forms required to apply. Mr. Watson said that the Access and Opportunity Network is the only centralized source and data base with information about expanding diversity in the building trades in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Joe Flatley, President of MHIC, said that, "We're seeing a lot of progress in terms of companies meeting or exceeding their MBE goals, but for those companies that need guidance in finding the right partners, we created the new website. On projects we finance, we help our sponsors set goals and we monitor compliance. We also make sure they have the resources available to do the best they can do." Another reason why some companies fail to achieve good results in reaching minority business goals, according to Mr. Watson, is that they typically do business with the same subcontractors over and over again rather than expanding the pool of subcontractors they go out to bid for and work with. One company that goes the extra mile is Bilt-Rite Construction , founded in 1982 by brothers Chris and John Sullivan. Since the company was founded, it has included women and minority-owned firms as ...Read More