The Federal Transit Administration officially awarded TriMet $87.4 million in federal funding for the Division Transit Project on Jan. 23, 2020.
The Division Transit Project will create new jobs and bring economic benefits to the region. The project is expected to create more than 1,400 jobs, including 650 construction jobs, and more than 780 indirect and induced jobs. More than $137.7 million in added economic value is estimated to be created in the corridor.
The project has a goal of awarding 20 percent of the design funding, and 36 percent of the construction funding to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms, supporting businesses owned by people of color and women.
In 2020, TriMet awarded the project’s general contractor contract to Raimore Construction, a certified DBE with a 20-year work history with TriMet. The contract is the largest construction contract in Oregon history.
What is a DBE?
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are small, for-profit business that are at least 51% owned by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged, as defined by the federal government.
As of winter 2021
70 firms have worked on the project
55 firms are based in the region
24 are certified DBE and Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise firms
22.7% of project design work has been awarded to DBE firms
28.5% of project construction work has been awarded to DBE firms
(not including the prime contractor Raimore Construction)
