Indy Airport Awards Millions In Supplier Diversity Contracts

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 31, 2016) – When it comes to giving certified disadvantaged-, minority-, women and veteran-owned business enterprises a fair opportunity at contractual work, the Indianapolis Airport Authority has the numbers to prove its walking the talk. In the first six months of 2016, the IAA has awarded 24 percent of its supplier contractual work to disadvantaged-, minority-, women- and veteran- owned businesses.

Today more than 100 business representatives attended the Business Diversity Outreach Event at the Indianapolis International Airport, where they learned about upcoming business opportunities, the procurement process, and the IAA airport system. The event represents one of the many efforts the Indy airport makes to include disadvantaged-, minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses in its mix of community-business suppliers to help run the organization and its facilities.

“We strive to include a broad range of large and small business enterprises when selecting suppliers,” said IAA Executive Director Mario Rodriguez. “We have a vast need for products and services to run this size of operation, 24/7, so certified diverse suppliers gives us a larger field of qualified and cost-effective options to choose from.”

The airport serves more than 8 million business and leisure travelers annually, employs approximately 10,000 people, and makes a local economic impact to the tune of $4.5 billion annually.

The IAA has set a goal of awarding 28 percent of its supplier contractual work to disadvantaged-, minority-, women- and veteran-business enterprises in 2016.

From January through June, the IAA was on record with nearly $6 million in contractual opportunities awarded to disadvantaged-, minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, compared to the more than $24 million in total contract dollars spent for the same time period.

“The city of Indianapolis is a place where entrepreneurs can look forward to great opportunities and a diverse economic climate,” said Maxine Russell, director of the Office of Minority & Women Business Development. “To enhance the city’s growth and economic stability, it is important to promote contracting and procurement opportunities for disadvantaged-, minority-, women- and veteran-owned business enterprises.”

Through community outreach, and events such as the one hosted today, the IAA has seen a steady growth of diverse business participation in capital and airport operational projects of more than 5 percent over the past three years.

“Not only has there been continuous growth over the last three years, but the IAA has provided new jobs and opportunities to help Central Indiana prosper, equating to a $37.7 million spend, impacting over 160 businesses,” said Rodriguez.

More than 40 percent of the airport’s concessionaires are managed by an airport concession, disadvantaged-business enterprise.

The Indianapolis International Airport, the size of a small city itself, has helped contribute to Indianapolis’ recent national recognition as one of the leading communities for minority- business opportunity. Small Biz Trends online magazine named Indianapolis among its 30 top cities in 2016 that are making strides in minority business enterprise opportunities. Indianapolis was cited for its more than 27,600 established women-business owners, tax-abatement programs, grants and small-business programs offered to help pave the way to success for minority-business entrepreneurs.

To explore IAA business opportunities, click here, or learn more about the IAA’s supplier diversity program.