Equity in Infrastructure Coalition Grows with 18 New Members at Bay Area Pledge Signing

Eighteen leaders, including those of more than a dozen major Bay Area transit agencies and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, signed the Equity In Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge at a recent event hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), San Jose, CA. The organizations join a national coalition committed to increasing contracting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) in the infrastructure sector.

“VTA’s transit connects one of the most diverse and economically vibrant metropolitan areas in the nation,” said VTA Board Chair Sergio Lopez. “Today’s commitment is a recognition that this diversity is key to success—whether to the economic vitality of Silicon Valley or to the successful operation of a complex transit agency—and will create opportunity in our communities for generations to come.”

The signing grows the EIP’s coalition to 92 transit authorities; airports; ports; water districts; and engineering, financial, and construction firms from across the U.S.—representing hundreds of billions of dollars. APTA is also a member of the coalition.

“EIP is an economic development program. When we are intentional about prime, joint venture, and equity participation opportunities for historically underutilized businesses, we put people to work and we grow businesses and community wealth,” said EIP Co-Chair Phil Washington, CEO of the Denver International Airport. “These are tough economic times across our nation. What we are rallying people around is leveraging infrastructure investments into investments in people’s financial security.”

Organizations represented were VTA; BART; City of Milpitas; SFO; SFMTA; MTC; COMTO Nor Cal; AC Transit; Caltrain; SamTrans; San Francisco Bay Ferry; Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District; Transbay Joint Powers Authority; Denver Water; Valley Water; The Allen Group; BUILDIT; and San Francisco County Transportation Authority.

“The timing is right for this important pledge. There are now more rebuilding projects happening across BART than at any point in our history,” said Bob Powers, general manager. “With 50 stations, BART can make a real impact to 50 communities and their HUBs and make them part of the BART family.”

“Joining this project aligns with our values at SamTrans to foster inclusivity and create opportunities for businesses that have been historically underserved,” said April Chan, general manager/CEO. “By signing this pledge, we commit to building generational wealth and reducing the racial wealth gap through meaningful actions in our contracting practices.”