Contractor Groups Team Up In Unprecedented Move To Train Local Businesses To Bid For Raiders Stadium Project

By ALAN SNEL

This time, small businesses and minority contractors in Las Vegas will be ready to compete for the lucrative work and many construction work assignments associated with building the $1.9 billion palatial Raiders stadium by 2020.

In an unprecedented move, the Nevada Contractors Association, the National Association of Minority Contractors Nevada chapter and the Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada have joined forces to give local contractors and businesses the chance to be trained on filling out mounds of paperwork that will be part of the bidding process to build the Raiders stadium on 62 acres at Russell Road and Polaris Avenue.

“The three associations have never worked together like this,” said Dan O’Shea, director of labor relations for the Nevada Contractors Association, which has more than 500 members.

General contractor Rebecca Fountain of KOR Building Group, who chaired the Nevada Contractors Association’s diversity committee, outlined the aim this way: “The goal is to have diverse contractors and suppliers positioned to do the business.”

Local businesses will be bidding for work under the twin-umbrella of construction companies, local McCarthy Building Companies and Minnesota-based Mortsenson Construction.

“Now we’re joining forces and it gives the minority disadvantaged business a better opportunity to do work,” said Charles “Tony” Gillerson, president of the National Association Minority Contractors Nevada chapter.

The Nevada Contractors Association, with more than 500 members, recently held a contract readiness training program that graduated 13 members ranging from businesses involved in flooring, concrete and recycling to demolition and cleaning. The 13 will be recognized at a Latin Chamber luncheon Aug. 18 at South Point.

Teaching small businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, how to fill out the mountains of paperwork linked to the Raiders stadium project is essential because the state legislation (SB1) that created the $750 million public subsidy for the 65,000-seat, roofed stadium did not include any minority hiring requirements. Instead, SB1 solely requires that 15 percent of the construction work go to Nevada-based businesses.

“Just don’t hire me because I’m a minority contractor. Hire me because I can perform at a high level,” said Maurice Williams, president of Las Vegas-based CSI Cleaning Services Inc.

The Nevada Contractors Association hired Buchanan & Associates, which specializes in small business planning and program management, to teach the nine three-hour classes. Another round will be scheduled from mid-September to mid-November. It’s free. The Nevada Contractors Association is paying for the classes.

The skills being taught are focused on writing capability statements, calculating gross profit margins, finding types of certifications, marketing businesses to contracting officers, developing a statement of qualifications and adhering to labor codes. And there are so much more being taught.

Larger sub-contractors are expected to hire smaller businesses to promote diversity.

Peter Guzman, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, said it’s not just about this particular Raiders stadium project because there are other major construction projects coming down the line such as the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion.

“It’s a long-term win,” Guzman said. “We can’t rely on the Legislature to pass laws.”

Contact LVSportsBiz.com founder/writer Alan Snel at asnel@LVSportsBiz.com