Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 4-16-21

Local
Businessman Sends Letter To U. S. Transportation Secretary
PAUL E. CURTIS ...Owner, Curtoom Companies, Inc.
last month to U. S. Secre- tary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg. Curtis, owner of Curtoom Compa- nies, Inc., wanted to offer some solutions to improv- ing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
In the letter, Curtis outlined in detail 3 specific
improvements he recom- mended.
1. There is a need to fed- eralize preference pro- grams for all federal grantees, if it is possible.
2. Women (DBE) need their own separate distinct program for many reasons. Ethnic minority (DBE) are
not treated the same by local preference programs.
3. Calls for supportive services vendors have un- dermined the intent of Con- gress. The intent was to provide opportunities to DBE contractors and engi- neers. It now is a runaway, allowing local agencies to
defeat the target of lawmak- ers.
Curtis, President of Suncoast Minority Contrac- tor Alliance, Inc., has not heard back from the office, but he’s hopeful that his recommendations will be considered by the Secretary and his staff.
Local
Paul Curtis sent a letter
businessman
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