Accelerator Helps First Client

The Minority Business Accelerator2.5+ is pleased to announce that it has helped its first minority business participant secure a business deal. Key General Contractors has begun work on a renovation project for The Sherwin-Williams Co. on the ninth floor of the Republic Building in Landmark Towers. The contract is estimated at $165,000.

The Accelerator connects African American- and Hispanic-owned businesses with significant business opportunities and it helps prepare the companies to fully take advantage of those opportunities. The Accelerator focuses on helping companies with $2.5 million or more of revenue.

The accelerator is working to identify and assist minority companies secure contracts totaling more than $23.4 million, including:

• A nonprofit group sourcing organization is seeking a variety of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to provide products and services. MBEs must be able to service a 16-county area of Northeast Ohio.
• Ongoing renovation projects for Cleveland-based corporation-immediate ($500,000 annual contract.
• Data center cabling-immediate ($3 million contract).
• Lead abatement program-immediate ($400,000 annual contract).
• Asbestos removal, construction and renovation projects-immediate (annual retainer).
• Sanitary sewers and drainage systems construction-immediate ($10 million contract).
• Two facility ADA renovation projects-starting in third quarter 2008 ($3 million and $6 million contracts).
• Roofing, external masonry, flooring, electrical infrastructure (each contract is labor only--$500,000 each)

To learn more about the accelerator visit its web site.