Decatur helping minority contractors get more involved in the industry

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur is taking a new approach to get more minority contractors. And the Metro Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce is helping get the job done.

“This is a call to action to minority contractors,” said Cordaryl Patrick, Director of Economic and Community Development.

Patrick said he is hoping men and woman of different backgrounds answer that call. He was one of the key speakers Wednesday morning when city leaders and the Metro Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce hosted a lunch and learn event for experienced minority contractors and people interested in becoming one.

“To minority contractors, it’s about the type of work that we do here in Decatur, how to get involved in that work,” Patrick said. “And it really began to begin to build a pipeline of the type of contractors we need.”

Patrick said the City is looking to fill a need.

“We don’t have enough money to do rehabilitation contractors here indicated to do work a scale the way that we would like to do the work at scale,” Patrick added.

With Patrick’s help, Darius Isaiah got involved in the industry about a year ago.

“I benefited from that, you know, so now I do the grass cutting contract for the City Decatur,” Isaiah said.

He added that getting your foot in the door can be difficult, but events likes this one and the Black Chamber of Commerce are what help people reach their goals.

“Putting you in the right role and right information and so many things that we don’t know. And you want to start a business and get involved,” Isaiah added.

Organizers said the main purpose of the event was to educate contractors on how to qualify and bid on city projects. The goal is to get the number of minority contractors up to at least 10%.

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