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| Airport's Diversity Program Increases Minority
Business Participation By DeAllous Smith The city of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have always been progressive in their efforts to promote inclusiveness and encourage small, female and minority owned businesses to participate in the growth and development of the world's busiest airport. Everyday, the airport opens its doors to over 230,000 passengers and relies on quality workmanship from businesses such as Thrasher Contracting, Corporate Environmental Risk Management, LLC, Cecil Chan & Associates, Kissberg Construction and Precision 2000, Inc. to assist with the airport's more than $6 billion expansion. These and other companies were encouraged to participate in the facility's expansion program through the Hartsfield-Jackson Development Program (H-JDP), which was established by the city to address planning and development issues. In 2005, the H-JDP's financial impact to the local economy produced an estimated 2,700 jobs, which resulted in $119 million in direct salaries and wages to employees within the Atlanta metropolitan area. Induced jobs generated by the program totaled 3,600. To date, the H-JDP has successfully garnered 36.45% participation from small, female and minority business owners. "We're building a workforce and a business community that more truly represents our population. I'm proud to say that our Diversity Program is a success and a model for the entire country," said Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta. The city created the Diversity Program for Hartsfield-Jackson to educate small, female and minority owned businesses on the correct procedures for preparing and submitting contract bids for any Airport related projects. The program was also designed to promote a system of fairness and equality for companies seeking to do business with the world's busiest passenger airport. "The City of Atlanta Department of Aviation has paid over $ 439 million to female and minority owned businesses," said DeCosta. "Companies selected to participate were chosen because they offered the most effective resources to complete expansion projects within a timely and cost efficient manner." Hartsfield-Jackson's development program is the largest public works project in Georgia's history. The program consists of five different elements including a Fifth Runway, Central Passenger Terminal Complex, Consolidated Rental Car Facility, a new Maynard Holbrook Jackson International Terminal and a proposed South Terminal. As more individuals select air travel as their primary method of transportation, officials anticipate the new facilities will accommodate 115 million passengers, who are projected to travel through the Airport by 2015. "Our strong performance is a true reflection of the state's overall strength as a global marketplace for both business and leisure activities," added DeCosta. "As the city becomes a more diverse community, it is imperative that we use outlets such as the Hartsfield-Jackson Development Program to attract and support the workmanship of all qualified companies and business professionals." For more information about the H-JDP Supplier Diversity Team, contact Development Program Supplier Diversity Director, Joe Jackson at 404-530-5589. © 2005 Hartsfield-Jackson News. A Publication from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. All rights reserved. |
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