Leaders from New York City and across New York State celebrate the Port Authority of New York’s efforts to set aside a significant portion of the nearly $20 billion JFK International Airport renovation project for businesses owned by women and men of color. did.
“What we didn’t want was to go back into the community… and people look at us and say, ‘So what did you do? Nobody on that project told us No one on that project represents us,” she said.
The JFK Airport renovation plan was announced in 2017 and will cost an estimated $19 billion and will be paid for with both public and private funds. Of that $19 billion, a total of $2.3 billion worth of renovation contracts have been booked. M.W.B.E.s — minority- and women-owned businesses — as part of Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s goal to strengthen the state’s partnership with MWBEs. To date, 680 MWBEs have been awarded contracts for his JFK renovation project.
“New York City remains committed to providing travelers with the best experiences, including world-class amenities, and our record of involvement of local minority- and women-owned businesses ensures just that,” Hochul said in a statement. I will.” “This innovative project will revitalize these businesses and deepen our investment in our communities while strengthening our state’s workforce.”
In fact, the Port Authority has openly embraced “progressive diversity and inclusion initiatives” aimed at increasing “contractual participation” with MWBEs. Website Say. More specifically, by 2030, the agency wants 20% of its contract partners to be minority-owned businesses and an additional 10% to be women-owned businesses. It is unclear how businesses owned by female racial minorities are classified.
White-owned businesses may not be completely excluded from bidding on contracts related to JFK airport renovations. The Port Authority also worked with Queens-based companies, some of which are owned by white men, and awarded about $950 million in JFK-related contracts to about 200 of them.
But even the agency’s efforts to work with local businesses remain touted as a minority. outreach. New York City Council President Adrian Adams asserted that the JFK renovation project has always had a “forward-thinking” focus.[ing] Create fairer contracts in a way that benefits “M/WBE companies, local small businesses, and the residents of Southeast Queens.”
Similarly, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said his goal is not just to work with Queens-based companies, but also to “thousands of Queens residents from historically marginalized communities who call the airport their workplace.” He said that the aim was to provide support.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D.N.Y.) expressed similar sentiments. “We understand the importance of creating wealth-building and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals who have historically faced barriers,” he said.
At an event commemorating the $2.3 billion MWBE contract, state Rep. Alicia Hindman suggested that the racial makeup of the individuals and businesses working on the renovations mattered greatly to voters. “What we didn’t want was to go back into the community… and people look at us and say, ‘So what did you do? Nobody on that project told us No one on that project represents us,” she said.
“For us, by us,” she continued, perhaps gesturing: “For us, by us.” n/aa popular hip-hop apparel manufacturer, “to make sure this community we represent looks like us.”
With a $2.3 billion contract with MWBE, the JFK renovation project surpasses the state’s previous record of $2.2 billion in public-private contracts with MWBE, set by the people responsible for renovating nearby LaGuardia Airport. The JFK renovation project is expected to be completed in 2028.
“The Port Authority is committed to supporting inclusivity in the design, financing, construction and operation of major redevelopment projects across the region by setting ambitious goals for MWBE participation.” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Just as we did with Newark Liberty’s new Terminal A and LaGuardia Airport, the redevelopment of JFK is an opportunity for the MWBE, which has too often been left on the sidelines during these historic capital projects. This is a game-changer for businesses.”
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