Binghamton businessman recognized by NYS for business excellence

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Binghamton businessman has received a high honor from New York State for the quality of his projects and giving others an opportunity for a career in construction.

William Durham, owner of William H Construction, is the recipient of the Empire Award for Business Excellence.

He was nominated for the recognition by State Senator Lea Webb.

Durham, a Union-Endicott graduate, started his construction business in 2014 with a focus on flooring before expanding to roofing and all forms of carpentry and general contracting.

He says he had a hard time breaking into the trades, so he makes an effort to hire other people of color, even offering on-the-job training.

Webb says small businesses like his are the backbone of the community.

“He is intentional around reaching out to folks who are historically marginalized. People who may not know about these different career pathways because of limited access to opportunities. It also just speaks to, like I said, the power of small business,” said Webb.

William H Construction is a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise in New York State.

Durham tells News 34 that he’s currently restructuring the company to handle more demolitions and property development.

He also owns and operates William Jane dispensary in Ithaca.

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