1.  An Effective Construction Committee: NBCC Chair Larry Ivory is assembling a formal Construction Committee made up of NBCC members who are contractors, architects and engineers.  This committee will have weekly teleconferences and will meet in Washington, DC periodically to work Capitol Hill (members of Congress) with the intent of increasing procurement opportunities.

The activity of this committee is already bearing fruit.  A successful Memorandum of Understanding has been executed with Tenaska Taylorville, LLC which is a $3.5 billion project (clean coal facility) in Illinois.  The MOU commits a training program for new minority employees (up to $2.5 million); $1 million in scholarships for minority students per year for 30 years; 15% of all contracting to go to minority and women and disabilities owned businesses (75% of that will be allotted to minority firms).  This is going to be a national model.  The project management team of Kiewit/Burns & McDonnell will work with the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association in sourcing and monitoring this process.  This is nearly $400 million going to the minority contracting community of Illinois.

We congratulate Chair Larry Ivory and the new NBCC Construction Committee for bringing this historical event into reality.  NBCC members in construction and A/E are encouraged to contact Chuck DeBow at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to become a member of this new and aggressive business development committee.  Come and learn more about the activities of our construction committee at our 20^th annual convention, July 19-21. www.nbccconvention.org

2.  Welcome New Chapters: We want to welcome our newest chapters – Southern Maryland, Ft. Wayne, IN and the rebirth of the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce.  You now are members of the largest Black business association in the world!

3.  SR Smoot Construction and H.J. Russell: On July 20^th, Smoot and Russell Construction Companies present strategies on how to do business with them on the $400 million Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Afterwards, meet the presenters and talk one-on-one at the matchmaker. Early bird registration is available at www.nbccconvention.org.  SR Smoot and H.J. Russell (the two largest black owned construction firms in the world) want to do business with you! Hotel rooms are running out, reserve your room now.  www.nbccconvention.org