SEPTA to spread some stimulus money to minority, women-owned firms

By: Tom MacDonald

SEPTA is expecting close to $200 million in federal stimulus money. That will mean work for hundreds of people, including minority and women-owned firms.

By: Tom MacDonald
tmacdonald@whyy.org

SEPTA is expecting close to $200 million in federal stimulus money. That will mean work for hundreds of people, including minority and women-owned firms.

Transcript:
Linda Orr is the owner of Orlind Construction. Because her business has been certified as a minority subcontractor for ten years, she hopes to receive a contract for work as part of the federal stimulus money.

Orr: “You must be certified and it’s ongoing annual certification to show that you are worthy that you’ve demonstrated the ability in the past to execute the work and you must be a capable contractor to be a part of it.”

SEPTA’s Lillie Claitt oversees minority contracting for SEPTA projects. She says giving minorities a chance is all part of the process.

Claitt: “We’re looking to bring small minority and women-owned businesses onto the project as well which translates into jobs.”

The largest projects the stimulus money will pay for are complete renovations of the Broad Street Line’s Girard and Spring Garden stations.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090320septa.mp3]