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For Immediate Release: April 23, 2009

For further information:
Marc Violette: 518-257-3382

Authority Aims to Excel at M/WBE Initiatives Despite Weakened Construction Market

DASNY to Maintain 20% Participation Goal by Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program in Construction

Albany -- The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) today announced that it will continue to set a high standard for participation in its projects by minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE) despite a deep recession that has constricted construction activity across the state.

“For years the Dormitory Authority has distinguished itself as a statewide leader in fostering business opportunities for construction-related companies owned by minority members and women,” said Dormitory Authority Executive Director Paul T. Williams, Jr. “We view the current deep recession as a challenge to rise above rather than a justification to lower our expectations. We fully intend to meet our performance goals and to continue setting a high standard of achievement in M/WBE participation.”

For the fiscal year 2009-2010, which began on April 1, the Dormitory Authority is committed to minimum goals of 13 percent participation by minority-owned businesses and 7 percent participation by women-owned businesses on its construction projects statewide.

Through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2008-2009, the Authority spent $126 million on contracts with M/WBE companies throughout the state. For fiscal year 2007-2008, the Authority spent $132.5 million on contracts to M/WBE firms.

“Over the years, the Dormitory Authority has been the statewide leader in M/WBE goals and achievement,” said Michael M. Clay, Director of Opportunity Programs Group, Construction at DASNY. “We recognize that the current economy presents steep challenges, but we intend to maintain our leadership role in the new fiscal year because our efforts help build stronger companies which in turn help boost New York’s economy.”

The Dormitory Authority offers a rich array of technical and professional programs and support services specifically designed to assist M/WBE contractors, construction professional services firms and commodities providers, including:

The Dormitory Authority also hosts the largest-of-its-kind in New York State annual M/WBE conference. The 2008 two-day conference, DASNY’s  23rd  annual, was attended by more than 750 people representing small, minority and women-owned businesses as well as majority construction-related firms, architectural and engineering companies, and commodities vendors from  across the state. The 2009 conference will be held October 23-24 in Albany.

In a new initiative, the Authority has begun offering specialized LEED training to M/WBE contractors to help them take advantage of increasing opportunities in the fast-growing field of green construction. The first session was held in New York City in January and additional sessions will be scheduled for various parts of the state in the coming months.

The Dormitory Authority and other state authorities and agencies file their annual MWBE goals with the Empire State Development Corp. which oversees all such programs statewide.

More information about the Dormitory Authority’s MWBE programs and services can be found at www.dasny.org.

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The Dormitory Authority, founded in 1944, is the largest higher education, health care and public-purpose bonding and construction authority in the nation. The Dormitory Authority has a construction pipeline of 730 projects valued at $7.4 billion. The Authority has an outstanding bond portfolio of more than $38 billion.