PHOTO RELEASE: California High-Speed Rail Engages Small Business at Merced Diversity & Resources Fair

October 31, 2024

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) works with 860 small businesses statewide. Check out these images of the Authority’s most recent Small Business Diversity and Resources Fair, an annual event that provides small business opportunities for face-to-face networking, meetings with prime contractors, engaging discussions on project opportunities, and talks about how to overcome barriers.

MERCED, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) on October 23 brought together more than 200 attendees representing small businesses for a Diversity and Resources Fair held at UC Merced that included networking with more than 30 prime contractors and a student engagement panel for a discussion surrounding the nation’s first high-speed rail project.

“We’re committed to small businesses playing a major role in building the statewide high-speed rail project. Events like this encourage equity in state contracting and provide small businesses valuable in-person opportunities to meet with prime contractors and learn about available procurements.”

– Catrina Blair, Authority Process and Program Development Chief

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There were also two certification workshops hosted by the California Department of General Services and California Department of Transportation, including business matchmaking with 17 Authority primes and a panel discussion on accessing capital and finance, moderated by Khaim Morton, Deputy Treasurer of the California State Treasurer’s Office.

With aggressive goals for small business participation, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, and Micro-Businesses, the Authority works with 860 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 work to extend the 119 miles currently under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. There are currently more than 25 active construction sites in California’s Central Valley, with the Authority having also fully environmentally cleared 463 miles of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to downtown Los Angeles.

Since the start of high-speed rail construction, the project has created more than 14,000 construction jobs, a majority going to residents of the Central Valley. 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 recent video, animations, photography, 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.