More than 150 local small business representatives attended the port’s Small Business Capital Improvement Projects and Subcontracting Opportunities Forum. Port Houston’s small business development program was created to provide opportunities for local small businesses to participate in contracting and procurement at the port.
Key goals of the program are economic development, sustainability and growth of small businesses, and industry-focused workshops and events. Port Houston is investing $280 million dollars towards capital projects in 2019. Since the inception of the program in May 2002, small business participation rate is at 39 percent with over half a billion awarded to local small businesses.
Currently, there are more than 1,100 firms enrolled in the Small Business Development Program.
Ross Talbot, project and construction manager for Port Houston, provided an overview of upcoming construction and design projects at Port Houston. The workshop focused on infrastructure projects that further drive port operations. Port Houston continues to expand its facilities to handle cargo volume growth.
“This forum is designed to provide information to local small business subcontractors who need the connections, knowledge and networking to get ahead and grow their business,” said Gilda Ramirez, senior director of small business education and outreach for Port Houston.
Source: Port Houston
