Economic Alliance Snohomish County welcomes OSDBU Director for site visit

On May 18, Economic Alliance Snohomish County welcomed the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization Director Shelby Scales for a site visit at their Everett office. This visit was part of a national tour planned by the United States Department of Transportation to visit Small Business Transportation Resource Centers throughout the country.

EASC is a grantee of the U.S. Department of Transportation and hosts the Northwest Small Business Transportation Resource Center (NW SBTRC). The NW SBTRC serves the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. 

“EASC has been part of the DOT OBSDBU program for over 10 years," EASC President and CEO Garry Clark said. "Our goal is clear, to engage, educate, and support the small businesses in the NW SBTRC region."

The primary topic of discussion during the OSDBU visit was the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The BIL is described as a once-in-a-generation investment in America's transportation network, to modernize infrastructure, increase equity in transportation, help fight climate change, strengthen the supply chain, and create jobs. The NW SBTRC Project Director Aisha Qadri coordinated this visit.

"Director Scales offered valuable insights towards the influx of funding coming into the NW region," Qadri said. "Here at the NW SBTRC our goal is to make sure that small businesses have access to, and are prepared for, the opportunities that are arriving."

Last week, the Biden Administration released a permitting action plan outlining ways agencies can ensure infrastructure spending projects remain on budget and on time. The White House is looking to accelerate the pace of environmental reviews and federal permitting for thousands of infrastructure projects under the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Today’s visit was a tremendous success and opportunity to partner with Director Scales on ideas to continue to lift and support the creation success for SBTRC clients," Garry Clark said. "Director Scales comes with an amazing track record in supporting underserved and marginalized business needs."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law marks the largest investment in U.S. infrastructure since World War II. Spending will go toward roads, bridges, freight rail, ports, the electrical grid and internet infrastructure.

The NW SBTRC will be hosting a Transportation Symposium to discuss these opportunities through panel discussions, workshops, matchmaking, and more.

To get involved or to become a sponsor please email nwsbtrc@economicalliancesc.org to get started.