Opportunity Downtown is a program administered by the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center to ensure that minorities and women have unimpeded access to the employment, contracting, and subcontracting opportunities that are created as part of the Lower Manhattan rebuilding effort.

The program has three primary goals: to alert minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) to contracting and subcontracting opportunities associated with downtown construction; to connect interested individuals -- minorities, women, and veterans returning from war -- with available jobs; and to monitor for and guard against discrimination or harassment on downtown construction job sites.

In an effort to achieve these goals, the program calls for the creation of a Lower Manhattan Opportunity Committee, which will bring together representatives from all agencies involved in the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan to foster greater communication about ways to increase participation by minorities and women in the rebuilding effort.

Additionally, the Opportunity Downtown program will establish procedures and develop databases to aid in outreach to minority- and women-owned firms, groups, and individuals; promote New York City and State certification for eligible MWBEs; and monitor for and address barriers to participation and/or discriminatory working conditions within the downtown construction effort.

Contact the Opportunity Downtown Program

Sign up to recieve the LMCCC Opportunity Downtown E-Update, click here.

Save the Date

15th Annual Competitve Edge Conference
Maximizing Opportunities for Minority/Women-Owned Businesses

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
CUNY Graduate Center - 34th Street and Fifth Avenue

This year's conference if FREE, but you must register in advance on our website to be admitted. Register online today!

www.the-competitive-edge.org

Updated Website

New York State Division of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development

You will find information related to the certification process, resources for technical assistance, access to capital, contract opportunities, MWBE Events, and an improved vendor registry search tool to help you find New York State certified MWBEs.

The mission of the "DMWBD" is to promote equality of economic opportunities for MWBEs and to eliminate barriers to their participation in state contracts.

For more information on the New York State Division of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development click here.