connecting policies, players and projects

National infrastructure initiatives spurred by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act must go beyond providing job creation; generational access and economic equity for all must be ensured. It follows that the conversation about race, inequality, and infrastructure is mandatory. - L. Charlie Oliver, Chair, Equitable Infrastructure Group|Partners

 

As a primary driver, infrastructure enables the physical framework upon which to access and participate in the economy.,” said Eric Avila, an urban cultural historian, and professor at UCLA.

 

The interstate highway system did not cause all the problems facing urban communities; however, its construction compounded discrimination and exploitation and triggered a process that weakened urban neighborhoods, from which they have never fully recovered. - Deborah Archer 

 

SMALL BUSINESS AND MINORITY & WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

In FY 2020, small businesses only received 25% of the federal contracting pie. And of those awards to small businesses, 62% went to companies owned by non-minority groups.

 

Small businesses and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises are hampered by: 

• Intentional and unintentional misperceptions about their being ready, willing, and able to compete and absolve or allow prime bad behavior and/or MWBE annihilation

• Disparity

• Policy 

• Lack of transparent data collection

• Lack of collective action and joint ventures