Global construction leader Skanska has expanded its signature Construction Management Building Blocks (CMBB) program to Atlanta, marking a new chapter in the company’s national initiative to strengthen small and emerging construction firms. The program will engage more than two dozen local subcontractors through hands-on training, mentorship, and networking opportunities designed to help them thrive in partnership with larger general contractors.
Since its inception in 2006, the CMBB program has graduated more than 800 companies nationwide, generating approximately $740 million in contracts between Skanska and participating firms. The initiative is a cornerstone of Skanska’s broader effort to create a more inclusive and resilient construction ecosystem by helping small businesses navigate the complexities of working with large, multinational builders.
“The CMBB program accelerates our relationship building with small business leaders in our region and offers participants tools they can leverage to run their businesses successfully,” said Matt Frey, general manager of Skanska’s Atlanta operations. “We want to ensure these businesses feel supported and have access to the resources they need to thrive.”
The Atlanta edition of CMBB will combine virtual learning modules with in-person networking events, allowing participants to connect directly with Skanska’s leadership team and local project partners. The comprehensive curriculum covers critical business and operational areas such as:
This structure equips small firms to compete more effectively for public and private construction projects, preparing them to meet the demands of major infrastructure and commercial development work.
One of the program’s earlier participants, David Delancy, founder of Tampa-based One Day Came, shared how the CMBB program shaped his business outlook after completing the Florida edition earlier this year.
“I got in this program and I knew right away that I was going to learn quite a bit,” Delancy said in March. “Small companies, we’re in our space, we’re in our lane, but we do know that there are other things that we can learn to get better, to work a little faster, to work a little more efficient, to become better for our clients.”
Skanska has previously partnered with institutions like the University of South Florida to deliver CMBB sessions, expanding its reach to help entrepreneurs across different markets. Each iteration of the program is tailored to local business environments, ensuring that participants walk away with tools, contacts, and strategies that match their region’s construction landscape.
“When we support small businesses in our local communities, everyone benefits,” said Ashley Hunter, subcontractor engagement coordinator for Skanska. “Strong partnerships create opportunities not just for individual firms but for the entire construction ecosystem.”
By launching the CMBB program in Atlanta, Skanska continues its push toward a more equitable construction industry. The company’s broader diversity and inclusion strategy aligns with industry efforts to close the gap between small, minority-owned, and women-owned firms and the large contractors dominating national markets.
The initiative not only benefits subcontractors but also supports community growth through job creation, workforce development, and local reinvestment. With each new city rollout, Skanska builds on a nearly two-decade track record of collaboration that strengthens regional economies and opens doors for small businesses to scale sustainably.
Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.
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