In Grand Rapids and cities around the country, minorities and women have long faced great obstacles in starting and growing contracting companies. Outright discrimination and long-established patterns of awarding bids to the same “insiders” are two such obstacles. Fortunately, things are changing. Government policymakers and developers are working to help empower underrepresented contractors by setting goals for their “piece of the pie.”
Our Together West Michigan team is working to:
• Help ensure that minority and women contracting companies reach the developer’s aspirational goal of $50 million in contracts for the three high-rise buildings—aka “The Three Towers”—planned at Fulton & Market in downtown Grand Rapids. Bids are expected in 2026 for this massive project, estimated in late 2024 at $797 million. Public pressure by Together West Michigan led city officials to increase the goal for underrepresented contractors from $31 million to $50 million.
• Use the Three Towers experience as a springboard to help inform underrepresented contractors more broadly about the many contracting opportunities in West Michigan
• Connect, connect, connect! Help link small contractors with sources of help: mentors, networking events, discounted legal and accounting services, lower-cost loans, etc. We do this by partnering with nonprofit organizations experienced in helping underrepresented contractors. They include the Urban League of West Michigan, and Construction Allies in Action.
• Help with the “Project-Ready” events put on by these nonprofits.
If we’re successful:
When firms led by minorities and women have a fairer opportunity to bid on and be awarded jobs, the benefits pass down to succeeding generations of their families, building generational wealth and strongly rooting them in the community. All of us will be building a fairer and more just community. This vision is what animates the “Three Towers Team” of Together West Michigan.
Do you want to join us?
We have a diverse team and are always open to people who want to work with us. With all the construction work planned for along the Grand River and elsewhere in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, there are many opportunities to boost minority and women firms.
Contact team leader Ted Hartzell. Phone: 269-876-9242. Email: [email protected]
We encourage you to share your perspective and join us in this critical work. We meet in person as needed, but in between meetings are doing advocacy work with local governments and city staff.
