More than 150 local small business representatives attended Port Houston’s Small Business Capital Improvement Projects and Subcontracting Opportunities Forum in 2019. Our small business development program was created in 2002 to provide opportunities for local small businesses to participate in contracting and procurement at the port.

Key goals of the program are economic development, sustainability and growth of small businesses and industry-focused workshops and events. Our small business participation rate is 39 percent since program inception with more than a half billion dollars awarded to local small businesses. Currently, there are more than 1,100 firms enrolled in the Small Business Development Program.

At the 2019 Forum, Ross Talbot, project and construction manager for Port Houston, provided an overview of upcoming construction and design projects. The workshop focused on infrastructure projects that further drive port operations. These infrastructure projects expand our facilities, so we can accommodate growth in cargo volume.

“This forum is designed to provide information to subcontractors who need the connections, knowledge and networking to get ahead and grow their business,” said Gilda Ramirez, senior director of small business education and outreach for Port Houston.