Office of Civil Rights News
MnDOT offers free classes and opportunities for certified small businesses. Develop the necessary business skills and expertise to win MnDOT work.
DBE Construction Academy classes
DBE Construction Academy offers a series of classes now through June 2025. These classes will help you assess your business, set goals, understand MnDOT contracting processes, and identify best practices. The following classes are open in March:
Budget management and cost control
Take control of your project’s financial success. Learn the essential components of creating and balancing a project budget. Explore the key techniques for effective cost management. Dive into the fundamentals of project estimating, cost control, and basic accounting practices. Discover how to identify opportunities for project financing. You will gain the skills needed to manage labor and material costs, reduce waste, and reduce total project expenses. Plus, learn how to navigate changes in the project scope, manage and document those changes. By the end of this class, you’ll have the expertise to keep your projects on budget.
Scheduling and work planning: Managing the project timeline and workflow
Unlock the power of effective scheduling in this class designed for project managers. Learn how to create and manage a comprehensive project schedule. Learn strategies for addressing potential delays, analyzing project timelines, and optimizing workflows. Gain a deep understanding of pre-planning for a smooth, safe, and productive project.
More ways MnDOT helps certified small businesses:
One-to-one small business assistance
Receive free one-to-one support to meet the challenges of your certified small business. Learn from experts such as engineers, architects, accountants, estimators and marketers. To schedule one-to-one business assistance, contact Stacia Rice at IMO Consulting Group.
Micro Grants
Apply for up to $3,500 of financial assistance to increase your business capacity and compete more effectively on MnDOT contracts.
Funds are provided as reimbursement for preapproved expenses.
To apply, you must attend a Micro Grant program training session. Register now for one of the following sessions:
Funds are available through April 30, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.
For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Micro Grant program web page.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Workforce Collaborative
The DBE and Workforce Collaborative is an advisory group to MnDOT. The group’s mission is to increase the diversity of firms and people working on MnDOT highway projects. Subcommittees focus on strategies to support DBEs and BIPOC and women workers.
DBE committee meeting
The DBE committee identifies issues and recommendations related to building capacity, utilization, and sustainability of DBE firms. This committee is a subgroup of the Minnesota DBE and Workforce Collaborative.
Results and transparency committee meeting
The Results and Transparency workgroup reviews and monitors the projects, workforce goals, and progress in hiring women and people of color on highway construction projects. This committee is a subgroup of the Minnesota DBE and Workforce Collaborative.
More information
For more information please visit www.mndot.gov/civilrights/index.html
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