The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says it hit a $1-billion milestone today for direct contracts to minority- and women-owned firms for work on the World Trade Center during the last five years. The authority says it has awarded about 200 minority and women-owned businesses close to 500 WTC contracts, generating 2,417 construction, architectural and engineering jobs.

Photo by Joe Woolhead

The authority credits its staff from the World Trade Center Construction, Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights and Procurement departments for ensuring that each WTC contract met its goal of minority and women-owned (M/WBE) enterprise participation. Some 17% of the total contract amount would typically go to M/WBE firms, which is in line with the agency’s overall contracting goal, the authority says.

“Our aggressive programs are helping minority, women-owned and small businesses that often have difficulty accessing ongoing projects such as the World Trade Center redevelopment,” says David Samson, Port Authority chairman. “This program supports the creation of jobs and our mission for economic growth in the region.”