Suffolk Announces Expanded and Enriched “Build With Us @ Suffolk” Program for Trade Partners, Opening Doors for Minority-, Women- and Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises in Construction

Suffolk, one of the largest and most innovative real estate and construction enterprises in the country, today announces the 2024 schedule for its “Build With Us @ Suffolk” accelerator program for trade partners and subcontractors, particularly minority-, women- and veteran-owned business enterprises (M/W/VBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and U.S. Small Business Administration-certified (SBA) businesses. Recognizing potential barriers facing these smaller firms, the eight-course program helps them open doors, expand their businesses, develop important relationships, and make their unique mark on the industry.

The program has graduated more than 200 small businesses throughout the country since it began in 2012. The hands-on curriculum led by Suffolk leadership is designed to help participating firms better understand the business practices and processes necessary to partner with Suffolk and large general contractors on projects. The four-week intensive program provides an overview of Suffolk’s construction processes, systems and technologies. Unlike most construction training programs, “Build With Us @ Suffolk” assigns Suffolk leaders as mentors who nurture and maintain relationships with participants after graduation. This direct access to Suffolk leadership and subject matter experts helps program participants introduce themselves and form relationships with industry insiders, find support and guidance, and potentially even market their services.

“‘Build With Us @ Suffolk’ helps M/W/VBE businesses in construction by addressing challenges, including opportunity and access to projects. The program also helps alleviate labor shortages by shoring up additional talent in the industry,” said Eileen Martin, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Suffolk. “The unique and innovative program exposes M/W/VBE businesses to high-level best practices, paving the way for potential opportunities with large general contractors, and offering the knowledge necessary to pursue complex jobs in today’s market.”

“I am grateful to Suffolk for the opportunity to participate in the ‘Build with Us @ Suffolk’ program, which provided valuable lessons in project management, estimating, legal, business development, technology and access to capital,” said Kevin Butler, owner of Buter & Butler Construction and graduate of the 2023 Dallas cohort. The firm recently secured a job with Suffolk at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. “The level of detail and access to Suffolk leadership through the program were priceless. I highly recommend this program to other emerging contractors who want an in-depth understanding of what it takes to partner with a sophisticated general contractor like Suffolk.”

TMJ Construction Founder James Burt looks forward to participating in “Build With Us @ Suffolk” in Florida. His firm has partnered with Suffolk on several pursuits in the state and was recently awarded work on an elementary school project in Polk County, Florida.

“I’m most excited to gain an entirely new perspective on the industry,” said Mr. Burt. “There is no other contractor like Suffolk in this region, which makes me feel extremely honored to participate and incredibly blessed to learn firsthand from its leaders.”

“Build With Us @ Suffolk” will run throughout the country in 2024, with upcoming programs scheduled in Florida on February 6, Boston, New York, California and Texas. To learn more and apply, visit https://www.suffolk-buildwithus.com/.

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