Metropolitan event helps local businesses succeed in public contracting and build Southern California’s critical water infrastructure

Metropolitan and its member agencies are investing billions of dollars in projects to keep Southern California’s water supply reliable and safe – and Metropolitan is committed to making sure local, small and diverse businesses have a chance to participate in that work. With both goals in mind, the agency last week hosted its largest-ever MetWorks, with over 1,200 people attending the annual business outreach conference.

The event allowed staff from Metropolitan and 18 other water agencies from across Southern California to directly connect with construction companies, consulting firms, suppliers and other related businesses to discuss upcoming projects requiring outside expertise. The connections allow water agencies to increase the number and quality of bids they get for their contracts, while helping firms understand how best to compete, providing insight that can be particularly valuable for smaller, local businesses.

Note to editors: B-roll and photos of MetWorks, as well as recorded interviews with Metropolitan leaders and business owners, are available here.

“Metropolitan is making critical investments to strengthen the reliability of its infrastructure in the coming years, and as we spend those public dollars, we need to make sure we are getting the best, most qualified contractors on the job,” Metropolitan General Manager Shivaji Deshmukh said. “At the same time, we want to make sure small, local and diverse businesses across Southern California have the opportunity to compete for our contracts or work as subcontractors. These direct connections between staff and contractors helps build successful partnerships.”

Earlier this year, Metropolitan’s board of directors adopted a two-year budget that increases Metropolitan’s Capital Investment Plan by more than $300 million, for a total CIP of $1.025 billion. The additional funding will help address a backlog of critical projects to replace and refurbish Metropolitan’s aging water treatment and delivery system, as well as continue planning and design work on Metropolitan’s proposed large-scale water recycling program: Pure Water Southern California.

“The water we supply is the backbone of Southern California’s $1.6 trillion regional economy and it is currently at risk due to aging infrastructure and shifting hydrology from climate change,” said Metropolitan Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “These investments are essential to ensure our water reliability. But they are not just about water. They’re about people. The money Metropolitan spends to maintain and improve our system generates opportunity and economic growth here in Southern California.”

MetWorks is coordinated by Metropolitan’s Business Outreach program, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary and was one of the first initiatives in California established to help small, local and disabled veteran-owned businesses succeed in public contracting. In addition, Metropolitan is supporting local jobs and economic growth through workforce development initiatives, including local hiring and job training.

“Through Metropolitan’s business outreach and workforce development programs, we are developing a deep bench of talent to build and maintain our water system now and into the future,” Deshmukh said.

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