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USDOT Names Wisconsin Company Prime Contractor of the Year |
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A long-time Black River Falls earthmoving company has been named the 2004 Prime Contractor of the Year by the U.S. Department of Transportation for its work in promoting the growth of disadvantaged businesses in Wisconsin's transportation construction industry.
Hoffman Construction Company was honored recently by U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta at the 1st National Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Conference in Washington, D.C. Hoffman Construction, a multi-generational family company that has been building Wisconsin's transportation system since the early 1900s, received the award for its efforts in mentoring minority-owned businesses in Wisconsin.
"Wisconsin has a great transportation system because it has a wealth of competent and competitive contractors, and we're proud to be helping other businesses break into this industry," said company Vice President Jim Hoffman, who accepted the award with Eric Johnson, president of Milwaukee-based South Star Trucking. "We are committed to ensuring that all entrepreneurs and workers in Wisconsin benefit from transportation investments in southeast Wisconsin and throughout the state."
Hoffman Construction and South Star have a "mentor-protégé" relationship in which established companies offer training, advice and other assistance to help disadvantaged businesses grow and prosper. Hoffman pointed out that such relationships will help the state achieve hiring goals for minority- and women-owned firms for projects such as the reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange and southeastern Wisconsin freeway system.
Tuesday's conference, the first of its kind, brought together owners of small and disadvantaged businesses from around the country to learn how they can take advantage of contracting opportunities in the transportation construction industry. Hoffman Construction and South Star Trucking are both members of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association.
Photo Caption:
Jim Hoffman (center), Vice President of Hoffman Construction Company in Black River Falls, receives the 2004 Prime Contractor of the Year Award from U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta (left) and Sean Moss, director of U.S. DOT's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. |
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