We're proud that for more than 25 years The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been building partnerships with minority, woman-owned, small and disadvantaged firms, and creating new business connections for them with other public and private organizations in the region. Throughout the year, the Office of Business and Job Opportunity organizes, sponsors and runs events designed to give your company a competitive advantage. We also update you with information about changes in business practices, bid opportunities, news about special events and free seminars and our e-newsletter.

Events & Training

Exchange Programs

Our e-newsletter, The Opportunity Report, updates certified M/W/S/DBEs on the latest news, events, training programs, seminars and exchange programs available to them.

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The Port Authority offers a wide range of business resources to help you grow and expand your business, including technical assistance, business management courses, marketing services, financial assistance, special events, consulting services, mentoring programs, and Small Business Development Centers. We work closely with community-based strategic partners – including business associations, chambers of commerce, and not-for-profit organizations – to develop programs and initiatives that support the growth of M/W/S/DBEs  and increase the region’s skill trades labor force.

Technical Assistance

The Office of Business and Job Opportunity works with certified businesses in a variety of ways. Our representatives:

• coordinate meetings between Port Authority contractors and engineers to discuss technical issues related to the contract;
• help expedite payment and/or resolve non-payment issues;
• inform firms of changes in policy or performance requirements connected with doing business with the Port Authority;
• assist prime contractors in meeting their "Good Faith Goals" by analyzing contracts for subcontracting opportunities and providing listings of qualified firms.

World Trade Center Business Resource Center

The center is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interested parties may call (212) 435-7843 or email WTCbrc@panynj.gov with questions or to arrange an appointment.

Financing Programs

The Port Authority also offers a menu of contract financing initiatives to assist small business owners:

• Bonding – The Port Authority does not require a bid, performance, or payment bond on construction contracts valued at $500,000 or less. Bonds for contracts valued over $1 million   may be waived for M/W/SBEs.
• Wrap-up Insurance – This program reduces the cost of construction contracting because the Port Authority provides and pays the premiums on policies of public liability insurance, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance, and a policy of builder’s risk insurance. Contractors are advised to review the insurance requirement details in the specific bid contract booklet.
• Quick Payment Plan – Contracts prepared under the M/W/SBE Set-Aside Program may contain provisions for the contractor to be paid semimonthly to further assist smaller firms in meeting their payroll.
• Linked Deposit Program – This program makes up to $10 million available to support loans to certified New York M/W/SBE awarded contracts. Firms may be eligible for up to $500,000 within a two-year period.

Regional Alliance for Small Contractors

The Regional Alliance for Small Contractors is a public/private partnership for small construction contractors. It provides business management courses, consulting services, bonding, and financing services.  Learn more at www.regional-alliance.org/program.html.

Air Service Development Office

The Air Service Development Office (ASDO) works to encourage aviation businesses located at the Port Authority’s regional airports to purchase goods and services from local businesses. To find out more about ASDO free, on-line data retrieval system and other resources visit www.asdoonline.com.

Northeast Region Small Business Transportation Resource Center

Provides S/M/W/DBEs and service-disabled veterans, with services and information to increase and improve their participation in federal, state and local DOT contracts and subcontracts. Visit www.osdbu.dot.gov for more information.

M/WBE Directory

The Office of Business and Job Opportunity is committed to assisting certified M/WBEs and DBEs in connecting their products and services to the Port Authority and its tenants. To ensure Port Authority certified M/WBEs can be easily be identified, we maintain an on-line searchable M/WBE database.

DBE Directories

On-line directories of DBE’s are located in either www.nysucp.net or njucp.net.  The directories of certified firms from both of these databases are shared with  Port Authority departments, prime contractors, tenants, and other businesses in the region to help them recruit qualified M/WBEs and DBEs.