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The N.C. Department of Transportation is encouraging disadvantaged businesses to compete for state transportation contracts.

Starting in June, NCDOT’s Division of Highways, in partnership with its Office of Civil Rights will host in-person outreach events in all 14 highway divisions to educate disadvantaged business owners, or DBEs, about how to do business with the NCDOT. Disadvantaged business owners include small, minority-owned and woman-owned businesses.

“Our agency advertises and awards numerous contracts for projects big and small each year, but often many of these businesses may not be aware of how to work with our agency,” said state Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette. “Each project is an opportunity to encourage small and disadvantaged business participation, and to provide those businesses access to compete on NCDOT contracts.”

NCDOT awards contracts in many areas including mowing, litter pickup, landscaping, snow and ice removal, traffic control, painting, striping, and road construction.

During the outreach events, highway division staff will be on hand to discuss the types of contracts, advertisements for upcoming projects, as well as letting and award processes.

The outreach event for Division 10, which includes Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties, will be 10 a.m.-noon June 26 at Metrolina Regional Transportation Management Center, 2327 Tipton Dr., Charlotte.

NCDOT is requesting that DBEs RSVP if they would like to attend the event.

To RSVP for the Division 10 event, contact Terry Burleson at twburleson@ncdot.gov or 704-983-4400.

For more information, visit the NCDOT webpage devoted to this initiative, www.ncdot.gov/highwaysdbe.