Rives E. Worrell Co., a JE Dunn Construction Company, and the City of Savannah kicked off its inaugural New Construction Business Program yesterday for informal construction businesses that desire to participate as subcontractors on City projects. The participants in the free-of-charge, six-month program will have access to a full day of training each month on a broad range of topics, from legal and marketing to information technology and business foundations. 

“At the Rives E. Worrell Co., diversity is not just a buzzword; it is something we put into practice every day. Our mission is much more than just constructing great buildings; we see ourselves as a community builder,” said Ryan Price, vice president. “That’s why we’re so proud to work with the City of Savannah on a public-private partnership that delivers results for area businesses.”

The New Construction Business Program is the newest program in the company’s offerings to the local construction industry. The company already offers a Minority Contractor Business Development (MCBD) program, which provides a venue for minority- and woman-owned firms to participate in a training program to enhance business acumen and interpersonal and relationship-building skills.  

In the two years the MCBD program has been active in Savannah, the company has awarded 24 projects totaling more than $23 million to local minority- and woman-owned businesses. More than $9 million of that went to MCBD program participants.  

“The City of Savannah is pleased to partner with Rives E. Worrell Co. to launch this inaugural program,” said MarRonde Lumpkin-Lotson, administrator, Savannah Entrepreneurial Center. “It is our goal to increase local business creation and to support the economic development of Savannah residents through the delivery of comprehensive business training.”