BLUE GRASS AIRPORT RECEIVES
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AWARD FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

June 9, 2009 – Blue Grass Airport was recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the 2009 Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Advocate and Partner Award. The national award was presented to Blue Grass Airport Board Member PG Peeples and Deputy Director of Engineering and Maintenance Mark Day in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, June 8 at the Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference sponsored by the FAA.

This award is given to an airport who has demonstrated excellence in meeting the letter and the spirit of the DBE program in the past federal fiscal year. Award winners must have demonstrated an aggressive outreach program, removed significant barriers to successful participation, built an effective support system for their participating DBEs and prepared and administered a fully responsive DBE program.

In an effort to maximize DBE representation in airport contracting opportunities, Blue Grass Airport has hosted numerous Small Business Opportunities Seminars. Attendees were 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.

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.

“It is an honor for Blue Grass Airport to receive this federal award,” said Eric Frankl, interim executive director at Blue Grass Airport. “The Airport Board and staff have worked diligently to provide a level playing field from which businesses can successfully compete for Federal Aviation Administration-assisted contracts.”

“Blue Grass Airport has exceeded its DBE goal for the past 14 consecutive years,” added Bobby Owens, chairman of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board. “Since 1995, contracts worth more than $13 million were awarded to DBE partners. We are pleased to be recognized for this accomplishment and will continue to encourage disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises participation in business opportunities at the airport.

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 12 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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