Minority-owned businesses across the United States say recent policy changes linked to Donald Trump’s rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are putting their livelihoods at risk, as access to billions of dollars in federal infrastructure contracts becomes increasingly uncertain.
The উদ্বেগ follows a federal court ruling that cleared the way for sweeping changes to the long-standing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, which was designed to help minority- and women-owned firms compete for government-funded transportation projects.
The program had been a key অংশ of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which set a goal of directing at least 10% of transportation-related funding to disadvantaged businesses. However, under the revised rules, automatic recognition based on race or gender has been eliminated.
Instead, approximately 50,000 firms must now submit detailed personal narratives and financial records to prove they are socially and economically disadvantaged—without referencing race or sex. The recertification process, handled at the state level, has created a patchwork of timelines and uncertainty across the country.
Contractors told Reuters that the নতুন requirements have already led to declining profits, layoffs, and project delays. Many firms remain in limbo, waiting months for certification decisions, while competing against larger, better-capitalized companies.
“Prime contractors do not use women and minorities unless they have to,” said Joann Payne, warning that removing participation goals has “devastated” the program.
The impact is already being felt in major infrastructure projects. In Minnesota, officials dropped minority participation targets from a $1.8 billion bridge project, while uncertainty has also affected the multi-billion-dollar Gateway Tunnel project between New York and New Jersey, where funding was briefly halted over DEI concerns before being restored by a court order.
Some states are pushing further changes. Florida officials have called for the complete repeal of the federal program, arguing it should be replaced with a broader small business development উদ্যোগ.
Advocates say removing the program’s কাঠামো risks undermining its মূল লক্ষ্য of creating fair access to public contracts. Don Cravins emphasized that minority-owned businesses play a vital role in job creation and community development.
For many contractors, the নতুন system represents a significant setback. “It’s like going ten steps backward,” said a North Carolina-based contractor awaiting recertification, noting that opportunities were already limited under the previous framework.
As the transition unfolds, many minority business owners say they are being forced to adapt or diversify just to survive in an increasingly competitive and uncertain contracting environment.