Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses

The Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRCs) are administered under the Minority Resource Center (MRC) Program codified at 49 U.S.C. � 332(b) (4), (5) & (7). This statute directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), through its Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), to provide assistance, advocacy, and outreach to small businesses in the transportation industry. The MRC fulfills this mandate through business training, technical assistance, access to capital, and opportunities for participation in transportation-related projects and contracts. Funding to carry out the MRC Program and its related initiatives, including the SBTRCs, is provided through annual appropriations by Congress to the USDOT Office of the Secretary (OST) under the budget heading: �Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Minority Resource Center (MRC).

Established 501 C(6) tax-exempt Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and 501 C(3) nonprofit organization, community colleges, minority educational institutions, tribal colleges and universities that have the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully operate and administer a coordinated, Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) within their regions.

Fiscal year 2025: The funds supported 11 centers nationwide that provided individualized technical assistance to small businesses, helping them access capital, secure bonding, and obtain federal, state, and local contract awards.