Women, Minority-Owned Businesses Look to TZ Bridge

Rajesh Shah's business, Sojane Technologies, may be based in Indianapolis, but he sees plenty of opportunity in the.

"We do LED lighting," Shah, the owner and president, said, noting his business installs high-tech digital signage—the kind that may be found atop the Hudson span.

Shah was one of many minority and women-owned business leaders who headed to the Tarrytown Doubletree Friday afternoon to meet with state officials and the .

The day-long workshop allowed Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) to network with one another and explore future opportunities.

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) was present as well, sounding off on federal loans and other aid the companies may qualify for.

"Once a company gets a contract, they can use it as collateral for a loan," said Benjamin Hunt, a USDOT official.

The project—which is expected to cost $5.2 billion and take about five years to complete—will also function as a major job boon.

"It puts tens of thousands of New Yorkers back to work," said Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Further, over $400 million worth of work on the project could be picked up by DBEs, MBEs and WBEs.

State workers are on the water under the bridge now, that will guide the private design-build company with the winning bid.