PDC M/W/ESB Assistance
Minorities, Women & Emerging Small Businesses (MWESB)

Specific information on the construction trades for Minorities & Women

Contracting Opportunities

construction workers Chances are you have heard that PDC may have opportunities for women and minorities as well as emerging small businesses (MWESB) on their construction projects.

These opportunities may be useful to you if you are a contractor with your own business or if you are an individual interested in the constructions trades. We welcome your interest and encourage you to learn about working with PDC funded construction projects.

For more information contact PDC's MWESB team. You can email or call John Classen 503-823-3667.

See How We're Doing

Community Events

20th Annual Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs - Entrepreneurship Luncheon & Tradeshow

Current Bid Opportunities

Be sure to check our MWESB online calendar to find out about upcoming events.

Invitation to Bid

South Waterfront subcontracting opportunities and pre-bid notices Hoffman Construction

Find out how to do business with PDC, and learn about contracting and development opportunities with the Portland Development Commission.

We'll Keep You Informed... Signup to receive notification by email when new bid opportunities are posted on our website.

PDC M/W/ESB Programs

The Portland Development Commission is dedicated to labor diversity on their construction projects, and currently has two programs that promote diverse labor opportunities: The Good Faith Effort program and the Workforce Training and Hiring Program.

PDC's Good Faith Effort program is a commitment of outreach to the minority, women and emerging small business communities. The purpose of the program is to strive to ensure that PDC contracts provide employment opportunities for minority, women and emerging small business in order to promote economic growth, to increase capacity and to expand competition in the marketplace.

PDC's Workforce Training and Hiring program requires training on PDC-funded construction projects because it has an obligation to ensure that PDC funded projects offer equal opportunity in employment and that those who have been historically underutilized in the construction trades have access to jobs through training programs. Keep in mind that both of these programs have specific requirements.

PDC is committed to expending public funds in a manner that benefits the entire community. Qualified Minority Business Enterprises/Women Business Enterprises and Emerging Small Businesses (M/W/ESB) are determined by certification criteria established by the Office of Minority, Women, & Emerging Small Business (OMWESB) through the State of Oregon, who administers the certification programs. These programs are designed to promote targeted economic opportunities for small businesses in the state.

Women in Business — An Online Resource

A new online resource http://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/, created by The Business Journal of Portland, is now available to serve as a virtual meeting place for area businesswomen to "connect, support, learn and grow" in their businesses. The website provides networking, information, advice and local business news. Networking opportunities are posted through a calendar of local events. This resource also includes ideas and tips from leading business experts, links to local resource organizations and a new online marketplace where women-owned and operated businesses can connect.

Community Resources

Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)

OAME is a non-profit, tax exempt organization formed to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon. OAME works as a partnership between ethnic minorities, entrepreneurs, education, government and established corporate businesses. They provide core of services to start-up and/or existing minority businesses.

construction workers The Construction Contractor Board

Applicable to all contractors, the Oregon's Construction Contractor License Act, ORS Chapter 701, requires you to become licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board if you are engaged for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real estate. "The Construction Contractors Board protects the public's interest relating to improvements to real property. The Board regulates construction contractors and promotes a competitive business environment through education, contractor licensing, dispute resolution, and law enforcement."

Chambers of Commerce

Local ethnic chambers provide contractors an avenue in which they can build partnerships in the community, providing them with a means to network with representatives from local businesses, organizations and government agencies. Members meet and share ways to better understand the contribution that each one makes to the growth and development of the region.

PDC supports the following Chambers of Commerce, serving their respective minority communities:

Philippine American Chamber

Native American Chamber

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber

African American Chamber