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VIDEO RELEASE: ICYMI – California High-Speed Rail Highlights Recent Small Business Diversity & Resources Fair

Annual event provides opportunities for face-to-face networking, meetings with prime contractors

November 27, 2024

MERCED, Calif. – In a spirit of gratitude, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) shares heartfelt thanks to all the small businesses collaborating, and seeking to collaborate, with this transformative project.

In case you missed it, on October 23 more than 200 small business entrepreneurs attended the Authority’s Diversity and Resources Fair held at UC Merced. At the event, representatives of these small businesses met with more than 30 prime contractors to seek opportunities to work at the nation’s first 220 mph high-speed rail project.

A moving gif file of only a small part of the video this news release features. Interested business owners mill about tables branded by various companies. Bright colors and busy movement. A sign welcomes people to the event. A graphic identifies the location for the fair as Merced, California. An animated play button hovers in the center of the gif, inducing a click. A more detailed description of this image and the video is available upon request. For such, please send an email to info@hsr.ca.gov. You must include reference to the title of this news release.

Open the above image to watch the Small Business Fair video.

“We received great feedback from small businesses, who said they appreciated the opportunity to meet directly with the primes’ hiring managers and that they made meaningful business connections.”

– Chardená Valley, Authority Small Business Advocate

The Authority is thankful for small businesses throughout California and works with 860 certified small businesses statewide. Some of the Authority’s small business team accomplishments in 2024 include:

  • Hosting the Authority’s Meet the Prime virtual workshop series, providing small businesses with opportunities to elevate their business and network with primes who have been awarded Authority contracts.
  • Partnering with the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) at SFO’s first-ever Resource Fair on February 27.
  • Hosting the Authority’s Small Business Program table at “A Day in Her Shoes” event on March 7 to celebrate women in business.
  • Partnering with the Capital Black Chamber of Commerce.
  • Attending the Pathways to Progress Summit and Vendor Fair in Sacramento on April 25.
High-speed rail representatives sit for a panel presentation on the project with a projected image of the project behind them.
Scores of small business representatives mill about in a large auditorium during the fair, with dozens of prospective employers sitting and standing at their tables with informational items and displays.

Open above images for larger versions.

The Authority’s small business team will host its third Annual Small Business Diversity and Resources Fair in the Bay Area in the fall of 2025.

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. The Authority also has full environmental clearance on 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.

Picture of information table, with literature, a pop up banner, and a hard hat visible.

 

Speakers Bureau

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Speakers Bureau is managed by the Communications Office and provides informational presentations on the High-Speed Rail Program.

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Contact

Kyle Simerly
916-718-5733 (c)
Kyle.Simerly@hsr.ca.gov

 

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