MTC, Bay Area Agencies Join National Movement to Support Minority-Owned Businesses

Representatives of MTC and 17 other Bay Area agencies gathered to sign the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge Monday at the Milpitas Transit Center BART Station.  

The pledge is a voluntary commitment to create more opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) in public infrastructure contracting. HUBs are businesses in which at least 51 percent ownership of the business is by a woman, minority and/or service-disabled veteran. 

The 18 entities signing the EIP Pledge Monday: MTC; BART; City of Milpitas; SFO; SFMTA; VTA; COMTO Nor Cal; AC Transit; Caltrain; SamTrans; San Francisco Bay Ferry; Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District; Transbay Joint Powers Authority; Denver Water; Valley Water; The Allen Group; BUILDIT; San Francisco County Transportation Authority.

"This Equity in Infrastructure Pledge closely aligns with MTC’s established Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program," said Alix Bockelman, Chief Deputy Executive Director for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments, who spoke at the event hosted by the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

"Our programs are designed to encourage small business enterprises who submit proposals on MTC procurements, and to encourage more prime contractors to subcontract more work to certified small businesses," Bockelman said. "The commitments we make by signing this pledge not only support our vision of a vibrant Bay Area that is equitable, connected and sustainable, but also reinforces our commitment to policies, actions and investments that advance a fair, just and inclusive Bay Area."

The agencies joined 74 other transit authorities, airports, ports, water districts, and engineering, financial and construction firms from across the country that are part of the pledge. Several speakers emphasized that this pledge will increase generational wealth-building opportunities in historically underserved communities across the nation.

"The Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge is not just a promise; it's a vital step and a call to action to ensure that underrepresented businesses and individuals are included on shaping our communities through transformative projects," said DeNise Blake, President of the Northern California Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, at the event.

Blake is Assistant Director, Business Operations & Capital Projects at MTC.

"Infrastructure is the backbone of our society, and equity must be the foundation of its development," Blake said. "By committing to this project, we are moving beyond words to measurable actions that drive meaningful change. Together, let's ensure that equity remains central to our work, creating a future where opportunities are accessible to all."