North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) says its related foundation has launched the Construction Business Academy – a construction business development program designed for minority, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses to ensure their sustainability and growth.
Dozens of stakeholders, community leaders, general contractors and other special guests gathered in Charlotte in early December to welcome 18 businesses that will participate in the first regional cohort.
CAGC says its foundation was awarded $3.0 million in the state budget to host these academies to provide training and coaching to help businesses rebound after COVID and to support their efforts to learn and grow.
“With billions of dollars in state and federal funding for infrastructure, this program will help businesses successfully compete to work on the hundreds of construction projects in their communities and around the state,” the association reported on its website.
The= Construction Business Academy includes 12 sessions (one each week, in-person and virtual) that focus on areas critical to the growth and development of companies and business owners. Students will be supported with business coaching and access to technical resources for a full year.
The first cohort will be hosted in the Charlotte region with classes beginning Jan. 11. Future cohorts will be created regionally in Raleigh, Greensboro and in eastern and western parts of North Carolina to ensure the curriculum and supportive services are accessible to all areas of the state.
CAGC says the Academy concept is nothing new. Twelve years ago, the CAGC Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Academy graduated more than 200 participants through a joint venture between CAGC, the University of North Carolina System, the North Carolina HUB Office, and other stakeholders.
Betsy Bailey, CAGC’s NC Government Relations and Building Division Director serves as the program director for the academies.
“We are so proud and excited to once again offer this program in North Carolina to ensure all businesses have an opportunity to participate in the robust construction economy in our state due to state and federal investment in infrastructure and our strong population growth,” Bailey said. “Our goal is to help and support hundreds of companies that can build these projects while increasing their revenue and growing their business.”