New Program Empowers Diverse Construction Companies Across New Jersey 

A new, free training program at Kean University provided by the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) empowers diverse construction professionals with the skills to expand their businesses and boost economic growth across the state.  

The University hosted a kickoff event for the Building for Growth program on January 15. The program is co-sponsored by the NJEDA, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), and Kean. 

Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.; New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy; ICIC CEO Steve Grossman and other leaders welcomed dozens of construction company owners, contractors and other small business owners to Liberty Hall Academic Center. 

“This initiative is about creating opportunity, advancing access and driving innovation, and is a perfect fit for our role as an anchor institution,” Repollet said. “Building for Growth is more than a curriculum; it is an investment in people. Together we will build bridges of innovation and opportunity across New Jersey, one project, one partnership and one contractor at a time.”  

Created by ICIC, a national nonprofit advocacy group committed to spurring economic growth in under-resourced communities, Building for Growth offers transformative curriculum to diverse business owners on topics such as business planning, finance fundamentals, marketing and more.  

Building for Growth was started online and has provided training for more than 200 business owners nationally. Alumni reported an 88 percent increase in revenue and 112 percent increase in their largest project size.   

The New Jersey program, the first tailored to an individual state, offers an 18-week program in which at least 50 business owners will take hybrid classes, with classes held at Kean and online.  

“This important partnership will support women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses by providing mentoring opportunities and the skills needed to succeed in New Jersey’s construction industry,” Murphy said. “This program will uplift underserved communities and promote economic success for diverse entrepreneurs, helping to create a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”  

Along with class instruction, the program includes industry speakers; one-on-one mentorship; and technical assistance for participants.  

“Under Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is expanding funding opportunities, resources, and training for diverse business owners, creating equitable economic opportunities for women, minority, and veteran entrepreneurs,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “ICIC’s BFG program has a proven track record of driving economic success for diverse construction companies. We are proud to partner with ICIC and Kean University to replicate these successes in the Garden State.”  

Contractors, engineering company owners and other small business tradespeople attended the kickoff event. Many said they looked forward to gaining expertise, networking with others in their cohort, and taking their businesses to the next level.  

Leon Davis of Jersey City, managing principal of CheckMate Communications & Electric, said he is impressed by the curriculum offered.   

“I feel this is a great opportunity. A lot of the things they touched on, like business planning and development, are things I’d like to get more knowledge on,” he said.  “This is a great structure for me.”  

Patricia Titone of Morristown, whose Hillsborough-based Mechanical Preservation Associates installs and services HVAC and other mechanical equipment, said she looks forward to networking with others, including other women in the field.  

“The best way is to learn from peers. People will be talking about their best practices, what worked for them and their experiences,” Titone said.  

Tami Brown of Montclair owns a real estate development company – MilMad Real Estate Corporation – as well as several restaurants. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Building for Growth program.  

“I love to see New Jersey lending a helping hand to small businesses,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for quite some time, but there’s always more to learn.”  

Roderick Smith of Mount Olive, who owns a home remodeling business, Blue Knights Construction, said he was interested as soon as he learned about the program and the curriculum offered.  

“I’m a pretty good project manager,” he said. “I want to grow my business.”