Invest Atlanta has announced -- in partnership with StadCo, the Atlanta Falcons’ stadium development company, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority – its role in ensuring at least 31 percent participation by female and minority-owned businesses in the construction of the new multipurpose stadium.
The Equal Business Opportunity Plan formalizes commitments made by StadCo on April 5, 2013 in the Tri-Party Memorandum of Understanding. StadCo presented a comprehensive plan for executing that commitment to Invest Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to foster inclusion in all aspects of the design and construction of the new stadium. After robust negotiations, Invest Atlanta and GWCCA accepted the plan and will actively monitor participation and compliance. Invest Atlanta will carry out its compliance responsibilities with technical assistance from the City’s Office of Contract Compliance.
“The participation of female and minority-owned businesses in this high-profile project continues Atlanta’s unique and historic tradition of providing full and fair access to economic development and contracting opportunities to all responsive and qualified businesses,” said Mayor Kasim Reed, who chairs the Invest Atlanta board. “Our commitment to female and minority-owned businesses is part of who we are as a City and as an economic development agency.”
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The plan details measures to engage female and minority-owned businesses in the pre-solicitation, solicitation and construction phases. For example, the general contractor will host meet-and-greet sessions for female and minority-owned businesses and hold pre-bid sessions.
“We are pleased to see StadCo’s commitment to including female and minority-owned businesses,” said Brian P. McGowan, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “This plan delineates everyone’s role to make sure this important aspect of the stadium project is carried out appropriately.”
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To be counted towards the 31 percent participation goal, each female and minority-owned business must be considered a Georgia Certified Contractor or Vendor, requiring certification by the City’s Equal Business Opportunity Program as a Female Business Enterprise (FBE), an African American Business Enterprise (AABE), an Asian (Pacific Islander) American Business Enterprise (APABE), or a Hispanic American Business Enterprise (HABE).
Female and minority-owned businesses seeking instructions and application information regarding the City of Atlanta certification process may access http://atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=130.
A copy of the Equal Business Opportunity Plan for the new stadium project is available on www.newatlantastadium.com.
About Invest Atlanta
Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta’s economy and global competitiveness in order to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta.
Chaired by the Mayor of Atlanta, and governed by a nine-member board of directors, Invest Atlanta’s programs and initiatives focus on developing and fostering public/private partnerships to create jobs, grow the economy, revitalize neighborhoods, attract investment, spur innovation, and encourage entrepreneurship. To achieve these goals, Invest Atlanta leverages the benefits of bond financing, revolving loan funds, housing financing, tax increment financing (TIF), and tax credits.
For more information, visit http://investatlanta.com.