The Asheville Business Inclusion (ABI) office is excited to announce it will host a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) outreach event on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The event will take place at the Maple Crest Apartments Community Room, located at 20 Lee Garden Lane, Asheville, NC 28801 (address corrected).
The primary objectives of this outreach event are as follows:
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Connecting with MWBE Vendors: The event aims to foster networking opportunities for Minority- and Women-owned businesses in the Asheville area, providing them with a platform to showcase their services and capabilities.
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Introduction to Prime Contractors: The outreach event will bring together Prime contractors seeking subcontractors, allowing them to interact with MWBE vendors and explore potential collaboration opportunities.
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City’s Capital Improvement Plans: Participants will receive insights into the City’s Capital Improvement plans for the new fiscal year, helping them align their offerings with upcoming projects.
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Information on Bidding Opportunities: Attendees will gain valuable information on where to find bidding opportunities within the City, empowering them to participate in future projects.
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Engaging with Project Managers: The event presents a unique chance to connect with project managers from various City departments, enabling constructive dialogues and relationship-building.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Carl Harris Construction Services to host this MWBE outreach event,” said Frank McGowan, Interim Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development with the City of Asheville. “This event serves as a crucial platform for fostering diversity, promoting inclusion, and creating meaningful connections within the construction industry in Asheville.”
Calling for Participation
The ABI office extends an invitation to all Prime contractors and MWBE vendors to attend this outreach event and take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse construction landscape in Asheville.
Event Details
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Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2023
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Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Location: Maple Crest Apartments – Community Room, 20 Lee Garden Lane, Asheville, NC 28801 (address corrected)
Who Should Attend
The event welcomes all Minority- and Women-owned businesses operating in the construction trades or offering services related to construction. Attendance from Prime contractors seeking collaboration opportunities with MWBE vendors is highly encouraged.
For more information about the MWBE outreach event or inquiries regarding participation and sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Frank McGowan
Interim Assistant Director
Community & Economic Development
828-259-5811
About ABI Office:
The Business Inclusion Office is responsible for supporting the implementation of the City of Asheville Business Inclusion Contracting Policy passed by the Asheville City Council on October 27, 2020.
The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority- and women-owned businesses for opportunities to participate as providers of goods and services to the City. To learn more about how we are working to increase equity in contracting, visit our MWBE Certification page.
The intent of Business Inclusion is to:
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Widen opportunities for participation
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Increase competition
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Ensure the proper and diligent use of public funds.
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Increasing the City’s awareness of available minority, women, and small business vendors
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Increasing Minority / Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) utilization in City contracting
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Promoting existing and start-up development of small business growth and profitability in the Asheville Regional Area
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Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on Minority and Women Business Enterprises
It is the City of Asheville’s policy to:
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Provide minorities equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of city contracting and purchasing programs, including but not limited to, participation in procurement, professional and construction contracts; and
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Prohibit discrimination against any person or business in pursuit of these opportunities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, familial status, or national origin, and to conduct its contracting and purchasing programs so as to prevent any discrimination and to resolve all claims of such discrimination.
For more information about doing business with The City of Asheville, visit Purchasing Vendor Registration & MWBE Certification
About Carl Harris Construction Services:
C. A. Harris brings more than 27 years of experience in planning, design and construction including architectural, engineering construction disciplines and construction management, experience also includes residential, commercial, roadway, infrastructure, bridge improvements and site development construction. C.A. Harris has managed over $2 billion in construction projects. CAH has been responsible for construction project management and contract administration for informal and formal projects, new construction and renovations of communities working with City, State and federal agencies, constituents and outside professionals to ensure projects are completed in a professional and timely manner while adhering to codes, standards, budgets, schedules, and quality and procurement procedures. Attended Appalachian State University, Boone, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC and has a B.S. Degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Architectural Design, Construction Project Management, Urban & Regional Planning/Community Development.