Detroit’s annual Construction Conference wrapped up Saturday at Wayne County Community College, bringing together aspiring contractors, city officials, and industry leaders to discuss upcoming development opportunities across the city.
The multi-day event is designed to help small and minority-owned businesses navigate Detroit’s contracting system, learn about open bids, and build relationships with decision-makers overseeing major public and private projects.
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Among the attendees was Rafhael Mack, who spent the afternoon in a breakout session carefully taking notes. Mack said the conference represented more than just information—it offered hope and direction.
"Come to the conferences. You go run into obstacles. You're going to have people tell you that you can't do this and that you can't do that, but if you don't try, you never know what you can do," Mack said.
A few years earlier, Mack faced a difficult period after losing his job at Home Depot while going through a divorce. Searching for a fresh start, he discovered an online post that changed his trajectory.
"I saw an ad on Facebook for Ser Metro, and that's how I ran into the [Detroit At Work] program," he explained.
Through that program, Mack trained to become an electrician—an occupation he once underestimated.
"It's not as hard as people think. It's a lot of math. I love math and science, so it kind of goes hand in hand. At first, I thought was, 'just plug switches and lights,' and there's way more to it," Mack said.
His story reflects the broader mission of the conference: helping Detroit residents transition into sustainable construction careers while encouraging entrepreneurship.
Detroit officials say the gathering is a key part of the city’s effort to ensure local companies benefit from billions in planned development.
"When you think about us, the City of Detroit, inclusion and opportunity is at the forefront," said Renard Richmond, construction outreach manager with the City of Detroit. "Really reaching out to our smaller contractors. You see 'Two Women and a Truck,' and we want to scale that to ten women and a building."
Workshops throughout the weekend introduced participants to procurement systems, bonding requirements, and certification processes that often become barriers for small firms.
"This is just an opportunity for them to get registered and all of the various systems that we may have that they may not know about. For example, the Office of Contract and Procurement, we use a system called Bonfire and Oracle," said Toni Stewart-Limmitt, deputy chief procurement officer with the City of Detroit.
Organizers noted that Detroit has dozens of infrastructure, housing, and neighborhood revitalization projects in the pipeline, creating long-term demand for electricians, carpenters, masons, and specialty trades.
For Mack, the conference reinforced his goal of turning his skills into a community asset.
"I want to be able to teach what I know to youth and give them the same opportunities that I had that's not really available to them," he said.
He believes Detroit’s construction boom can open doors for the next generation—if residents are given access to training and mentorship.
"I feel that if, as long as you believe in yourself and you work hard, you can accomplish anything," Mack added.
City officials confirmed another Construction Conference will be held this summer for contractors who were unable to attend this session.
Detroit is experiencing one of the largest building surges in decades, fueled by federal infrastructure funding, downtown redevelopment, and neighborhood improvement programs. However, many small firms struggle to enter the market due to complex paperwork, insurance requirements, and limited connections.
Events like the Detroit Construction Conference aim to close that gap by:
Officials say the ultimate goal is to ensure Detroit residents are not just spectators of the city’s growth—but direct participants in rebuilding their communities.
Originally reported by Veronica Ortega in CBS News.
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