The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) concluded a successful 2023 with significant strides in inclusive business practices, awarding contracts totaling $171.6 million to 84 Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprises (DBE/SBE), marking an 11% increase from the previous year. The Diversity Programs Department spearheaded these efforts, which CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. described as crucial not only to the agency but to the broader Chicago community. According to a press release on the CTA's official site, Carter stated, "We remain committed to the vision of CTA, which is why over the last year we’ve been pulling out all the stops to exceed our goals of engaging and fostering new opportunities with the contracting community– who play a critical role not just here at CTA, but in ensuring the City of Chicago keeps moving."
Among the projects that benefited from this initiative, the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One stands out for having employed 501 individuals from Economic Disadvantage Area (EDA) communities, resulting in the accumulation of over 460,000 labor hours, and payouts of more than $25.9 million. These efforts, aimed at communities where the median income is below $45,000, demonstrate the CTA's approach to supporting local economies through equitable opportunities.
Much of the outreach has centered around the proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) project. Throughout the year, the CTA’s Small Business Development Team held events, including nine RLE "roadshows" and exhibitions at the Chicago Build Expo to publicize the project and contracting opportunities. Misty Brown, Manager of Small Business Development and Outreach, expressed her enthusiasm, noting, "The excitement around the RLE project was palpable, and it was a proud moment to see over 100 attendees at CTA to learn about future contracting opportunities, as well as steps on how to become certified to do business with the CTA."
As the CTA moves forward with projects like the RLE, it has also introduced new initiatives to amplify its community impact. One such effort is the networking event which brought together a dozen local and state agencies to educate prospective contractors on partnership opportunities. This event culminated in a session for questions and networking, illustrating the CTA’s commitment to broadening the scope of opportunity for DBEs and SBEs.
To further these goals, the CTA's Technical Assistance programming and the Building Small Businesses (BSB) program have been instrumental in scaling up small business capabilities to leverage transit-related contracts. The agency also partnered with organizations such as Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) and HIRE360 among others, ensuring that the benefits of transit-oriented growth reach individuals looking to start careers in construction trades. The CTA anticipates that such collaborative efforts will continue to infuse the market with opportunities for disadvantaged and smaller businesses in 2024, aiming for sustained growth and diversity in the industry.
