BLUE GRASS AIRPORT EXCEEDS
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008
April 21, 2009 – Blue Grass Airport is pleased to announce that it will complete Fiscal Year 2008 with a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation of 20% for airport improvement projects. Contracts worth more than $1.036 million were awarded to DBE partners. This exceeds the participation goal of 10.5% set for Fiscal Year 2008. The airport has exceeded its goal for 14 consecutive years.
The purpose of this program is to promote and encourage disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises participation in business opportunities at the airport. A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise is a for-profit small business which is at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that airports receiving federal funds for improvement projects set goals to encourage DBE participation. These goals assist in ensuring non-discrimination in the award of contracts and removal of barriers for DBE participation in a contract.
“Our Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is designed to ensure a level playing field from which businesses can successfully compete for Federal Aviation Administration-assisted contracts,” said Bobby Owens, chairman of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board. “We are pleased to have exceeded our goal this fiscal year and hope that in the year to come we will continue these strong relationships with our DBE partners.”
In an effort to maximize DBE representation in airport contracting opportunities, Blue Grass Airport hosts Small Business Opportunities Seminars. Attendees are provided with an overview of the airport’s construction projects, project timelines, program goals and management, contractor requirements and presentations about DBE certification and community resources. Materials from these seminars can be found at www.bluegrassairport.com/busopps.html.
“It is our responsibility to the community to provide Disadvantaged Business Enterprises with opportunities to help them grow,” said P.G. Peeples, secretary of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board and President and CEO of the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County. “The Airport Board works diligently to ensure projects are tailored so a DBE can fairly compete in the bid process.”
Blue Grass Airport, Official Airport of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, is served by six major airline brands providing convenient non-stop service to 13 major hub cities with connecting service to hundreds of destinations worldwide. The airport proudly serves over one million central and eastern Kentucky travelers every year.
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