LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – It’s an event centered around partnership.
At the Lubbock District Mesquite Training Center, TxDOT is working to find better ways to connect with small businesses across the state.
“Instead of small businesses going through a maze of trying to get to the work, we want make it a bit easier to get to the work,” TxDot statewide program specialist Carlton Cooper said. “Get to know the personnel, know the opportunities. By coming to each district, you get to know the personnel, get to know the opportunities, and they get to know you.”
With TxDOT overseeing the construction and maintenance of state highways in 25 total districts, Cooper knows the importance of working with everyone to fit the needs of each area.
“Every district is different,” Cooper said. “Work is different in different parts of the state, so it’s good to know from the area engineer, from the mains director, from the director of construction, to know what they look for and what they expect from contractors.”
The doing business program began in 2021 and has become a vehicle for relationship building with TxDOT staff.
“People see that they’re serious about the work and the contractors, the prime contractors, see that they’re serious and they usually get opportunities,” Cooper said.
Cooper says more than anything else, these small business owners take advantage and capitalize on the information they learn through these sessions. It opens up an avenue for them that wasn’t available even a few years ago.
“The small businesses aren’t always in the room with the prime contractors,” Cooper said. “The prime contractors being the big companies like your Webber’s, your Hamilton’s and people like that. They don’t get to see them all the time. This gives them an opportunity to see these prime contractors one-on-one.”
Strengthening partnerships between small businesses and TxDot, one event at a time.
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