New York State is preparing to connect minority- and women-owned businesses with public construction and infrastructure opportunities through a November forum focused on procurement, financing and contractor readiness. The event will offer practical guidance for businesses seeking to compete for state contracts as major capital projects advance across the state.
Empire State Development announced that registration is open for the 16th annual Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Forum, scheduled for November 17 at the Albany Capital Center. The event’s theme, “Making Government Work for You,” focuses on improving access to government contracting and reducing administrative barriers for small businesses.
A key session will examine project labour agreements across New York’s capital projects, including work in semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy and transmission. The workshop will cover active and upcoming agreements and help MWBE contractors assess their readiness in areas such as bonding capacity, workforce composition, prequalification and back-office operations.
Participants will also hear from union representatives, state agencies and prime contractors about preparing to compete for union construction contracts.
Another session will explore how artificial intelligence can support responses to requests for proposals and bids. Contractors will learn how to analyse solicitations, create compliance checklists, reuse relevant past-performance information and develop proposal language. The workshop will also cover potential applications for quotes, invoices, job descriptions and customer follow-up.
The forum will showcase the Empire State MWBE Hub, a cloud-based platform designed to simplify the certification process. The platform forms part of the state’s EXPRESS NY initiative, launched in June 2026 to reduce administrative burdens and improve government services.
Additional sessions will address industry-code documentation, certification requirements for union shops and financing strategies for businesses seeking to expand. Topics include traditional lending, Community Development Financial Institutions, surety bonding and the operational capabilities needed to pursue larger contracts.
The programme will also include the MWBE Champions Awards Luncheon, recognising government partners, business service providers, MWBEs and advocates for their contributions to business development and participation.
The Opportunity Showcase will feature economic development projects from across New York State, giving MWBEs opportunities to learn about procurement pathways and connect with project leads from public agencies and private companies. The programme will include a spotlight on the new Buffalo Bills stadium.
Several state agencies have highlighted their contracting activity as part of the broader effort to expand participation. The New York Power Authority reported more than $238 million in spending with diverse firms during the previous year, while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has allocated $6.5 billion in contract awards to small construction companies through its 2025–2029 Capital Plan.
For construction owners, general contractors and specialty subcontractors, the forum offers a venue to understand procurement requirements and identify potential partners. Its practical focus on labour agreements, bidding, certification and bonding could help eligible businesses prepare for opportunities tied to New York’s public infrastructure and economic development programmes.
Registration details and the event agenda are available through Empire State Development.
Source: ESD.
