Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Federal Stimulus

New Report: Minority-Owned Businesses Left Out of Transport Stimulus

Women and minorities are getting shortchanged in the chase for transportation stimulus contracts, according to a report released today by the Transportation Equity Network (TEN) and Good Jobs First.

cityroom_20090914_ahill_85420_Mino_large.png(Photo: WBEZ)

Using federal procurement data -- which, the two advocacy groups acknowledged, represents just a slice of the White House's economic recovery pie -- the report found that women- and minority-owned business have been allocated just 10.3 percent of transportation stimulus funds.

As the stimulus' benefits for the most disadvantaged Americans become a key concern in Washington, getting attention from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Transportation Secretary, the conclusions of today's report could resonate during the crafting of the Obama administration's next job-creation effort.

"In the few places where our affiliates were
able to
get some data, it seems that minorities and women are getting fewer
jobs and fewer work
hours," TEN executive director Laura Barrett told reporters.

"It seems
that instead of offering a hand up to minority and women contractors,
[the stimulus law] is actually continuing the bad patterns of
segregation that have plagued federal contracts for
years."

The report includes several anecdotal reports of state DOTs failing to meet their goals for minority hiring under the stimulus law. Among the local backlashes: African-American contractors filed a complaint in August against three Kansas localities, alleging they were shortchanged on stimulus work, and several California minority-owned businesses organized a protest in July.

Later in the summer, the U.S. DOT announced a $20 million infusion to help Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, a designation that includes many minority contractors, participate in transportation stimulus projects.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Headlines of Many Colors

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called rainbow crosswalks "a distraction" and called on cities to eliminate them.

July 8, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Are Big and Beautiful

The ginormous GOP tax and spending bill President Trump signed on July 4 will make the air dirtier, a lot of it from tailpipe emissions.

July 7, 2025

The Single Most Important Element In Creating Good Cities

A lot of U.S. cities are getting their "right of way" all wrong — and urbanists can help by getting to know this poorly-understood concept.

July 7, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Are Charged Up for the Fourth

The Republican megabill is bad for the electric vehicle industry, but it could be worse.

July 3, 2025

Why is the Secretary of Transportation Begging Americans to Take More Road Trips?

Instead of making America easier to see on all modes, the US Department of Transportation is encouraging U.S. residents to just get in their cars and drive.

July 3, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Are for the Children

From mothers with babies in strollers to preteens on bikes, much of the U.S. is hostile to families just trying to get around without a car.

July 2, 2025
See all posts