New York City has introduced a Department of Design and Construction (DDC) mentoring program focused on increasing opportunities for Minority-owned and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) as well as Small Businesses Enterprises in general.

The DDC mentoring program is the city’s first of its kind.

The goal of the program is to prepare qualified M/WBEs and small businesses to compete for city construction contracts. DDC Commissioner Jamie Torres-Springer is excited for the availability of opportunities, he stated, “participants will receive customized growth planning and industry training and will gain real-life experience under the guidance of DDC professionals and established firms with years of experience in the field”. 

Through the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) some of the benefits will be access to staff, capital opportunities, and SBS’s workforce development programs. The goal of the program is to provide the foundation for long-term success for the M/WBEs and small businesses that participate. 

The program is open to firms in the construction industry, but they must have been in business for at least one year and must also be certified by the NYC Department of Small Business Services as a M/WBE or Small Business. 

“It’s crucial that we provide small firms and M/WBEs with opportunities, tools, and guidance so they can compete for city construction contracts, both to level the playing field and to ensure city contracts are more accessible,” said the Administration’s Senior Advisor for Recovery and former DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. 

Businesses interested in DDC’s Mentoring Program can register at ddcanywhere.nyc

Firms with further questions about the new DDC Mentoring Program should email DDC at businessdevelopment@ddc.nyc.gov.