Pine Bluff Construction & Trade Alliance

 “Building Capacity” Among Local Subcontractors

East Harding Construction was a founding corporate partner of the Pine Bluff Construction & Trade Alliance in March 2017. The mission of the Construction & Trade Alliance is to increase the number of qualified subcontractors capable of successfully bidding construction contracts within the city of Pine Bluff and other public and private projects throughout Arkansas. In the wake of the $31 million dollar “Go Forward Pine Bluff” initiative and the $20 million private contribution plan, Alliance members are winning contracts, completing projects safely and effectively, and keeping local Pine Bluff tax dollars in the local Pine Bluff economy. Since 2016, East Harding Construction has awarded, on average, more than 60% of all subcontracts in Pine Bluff to local subcontractors in a competitively bid process that ensures the best value to our client.

To date, the Alliance has about 40 members who meet on a quarterly basis. In addition to networking and one-on-one discussions, regular meetings have included a presentation with Q & A by a Construction attorney; a presentation on the Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency; and a presentation on how local subcontractors can prepare to bid projects in Pine Bluff as they become available.

The Alliance is also facilitating formal mentoring relationships between Alliance members and established General Contractors and Subcontractors who provide administrative and professional development and training as needed. The Alliance seeks to improve subcontractor’s management, organization, and construction job site skills by instructing on best practices that will spur their business growth.

Real time training also takes place during the bidding process and project execution.

The training includes:

• Educating new and emerging contractors about surety bonds and assisting them in becoming bondable;
• Identifying resources available for obtaining a first bond through federal, state and local programs;
• Providing assistance and referrals for obtaining appropriate accounting, project management, and financial expertise;
• Consulting on insurance requirements and Other networking, outreach, advocacy, policy development, and administrative assistance.

The intent is to help Alliance members “build capacity” in their business so that will foster healthy independence while also bettering the community.

Since 2016, East Harding Construction’s projects in Pine Bluff have averaged more than 60% of all contracts awarded to local Pine Bluff subcontractors, vendors and suppliers.