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VIDEO RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Engages Small Business at Diversity & Resources Fair

October 26, 2023

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) this week brought together more than 100 attendees representing small businesses for a day of networking and discussion surrounding the nation’s first high-speed rail project.

The Authority’s annual Small Business Diversity and Resources Fair at the Ziggurat near downtown Sacramento provided small businesses opportunities for face-to-face networking and featured project updates, meetings with prime contractors, engaging discussions on project opportunities, and talks about how to overcome barriers facing small businesses.

Click to watch the video.

“Small business from across the state play a major role on this transformative project. Engaging with and providing unique opportunities to these diverse businesses is essential to high-speed rail’s success,” said Authority Process and Program Development Chief Catrina Blair. “There is tremendous value in hosting free events like this aimed at encouraging and advancing equity in state contracting.”

With an aggressive 30% goal for small business participation, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, and Micro-Businesses, the Authority works with over 800 certified small businesses statewide. The Authority’s small business team also helps small businesses better navigate opportunities, access resources, and more.

The Authority has begun advanced design work to extend the 119 miles under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. The Authority has also environmentally cleared 422 miles of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to the Los Angeles Basin. The high-speed rail project has created more than 11,000 good-paying jobs since the start of construction, 70% of those going men and women from disadvantaged communities.

For more on construction, visit: www.buildhsr.com.

To learn more about the Authority’s Small Business Program visit: https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/small-business-program/. Stay up to date by subscribing to the Small Business Newsletter: https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/small-business-program/small-business-newsletter/

The following link contains photos and recent videos, animations, press center resources, and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8.

These files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.