$445,000 award will expand small business resources and contracting assistance across Region 2

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Small businesses looking to grow and compete for contracts in the transportation industry will have access to free resources thanks to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The USDOT's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) awarded the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) a $445,000 cooperative agreement to provide business development and capacity building support to hundreds of small businesses. Under the initiative, COMTO will host Region 2 Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Center (SBTTAC), which serves the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virgina, and West Virginia.

The initial cooperative agreement period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods, subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.

“This partnership aligns with our mission of ensuring transportation and contracting serve all," said COMTO President & CEO April Rai," COMTO has a 55-year legacy of advocating for small business advancement in the multi-million-dollar transportation industry. We are grateful to the USDOT for recognizing our capacity to provide the level of support and technical assistance to guarantee our region's small businesses succeed."

"When we invest in our small businesses, we bring jobs to residents, opportunity to communities, and economic prosperity to American families," said Dawn Tucker, SBTTAC Executive Director, "I am laser focused on making sure our Center reaches small businesses in every corner of Region 2 from our rural communities to urban cities and tribal communities."

Region 2 SBTTAC will offer individualized business counseling and technical assistance to help small businesses improve procurement and financial readiness, obtain relevant certifications, develop business plans and marketing strategies, and identify and pursue transportation contracting opportunities.

The SBTTAC will also connect businesses with capital and financing resources, including loans, bonding, lines of credit, and working capital. Transportation-focused training will address procurement, contracting, financial management, bonding, safety, cybersecurity, digital interoperability, and other relevant topics.

By combining individualized guidance, practical training, procurement assistance, and connections to relevant resources, the SBTTAC will help small businesses navigate the requirements of transportation contracting and build the capabilities needed to pursue opportunities across various transportation modes.

About SBTTAC USDOT’s Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSBDU) supports six regional Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Centers (SBTTACs) nationwide. Click here to learn more: Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Centers (SBTTAC) | US Department of Transportation