Turner-UK Construction Diversity Accelerator launches cohort 3

The Turner-UK Construction Diversity Accelerator (CDA) welcomed cohort three in March with an opening reception at the UK Cornerstone. This year’s cohort has 20 businesses located across Kentucky. The program is a partnership between Turner Construction, the University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Apex Accelerator.

The CDA is a 10-week program designed to provide underrepresented contractors with the skills they need to be more competitive in the construction industry. Professionals from Turner Construction and the University of Kentucky cover topics that include construction drawings and specifications, scheduling and lean, estimating, procurement, risk management, insurance, bonding, and accounting. 

The cohort is divided into teams and will present a final mock bid project and a scope review before a panel of evaluators. This cohort is supported by UK project managers Keith Ingram and Denise Cooper who function as mentors to the collective teams.

“The CDA program is part of a collective vision to achieve greater inclusion within our industry through intentional relationship building," said Kristen Smitherman-Voltaire, community, and citizenship director at Turner Construction. "Huge thanks to Marilyn Clark and her team at UK, as well as the Kentucky APEX Accelerator staff, for their continued collaboration. We could not ask for better partners to be involved in the work of supporting this year’s dynamic cohort.”

“We are grateful for the support of the team of professionals from Turner, UK, the KY Apex Accelerator, and community partners. “This program wouldn’t be possible without their support,” said UK economic inclusion Manager, Marilyn Clark. 

Participants in the 2024 accelerator cohort represent 14 trade categories, such as sitework, utilities, finishes and concrete. The cohort includes 18 minority-owned businesses, three women-owned businesses and two veteran-owned businesses, reflecting the program’s commitment to serving underrepresented businesses in the industry. 

Companies included in the 2024 cohort include:

Aaron’s Construction

ACE Consulting, LLC

Aequitas Power Company

Charles Moore Asphalt Excavating Concrete

DAR Construction

DAW Construction

Done It All Construction

Elaine Allen, LLC

Geco Enterprises, Inc.

HVAC Plus

Integrated Power and Technology

K Construction LLC

Legacy Construction and Remodel LLC

McClain Construction Co.

MBE Contracting & Supply

National Contracting Services LLC

Safewayz Traffic Control LLC

Scruggs Construction Inc.

Sonwi General Contractor

Stevie’s Repair Solutions

Each business in the cohort is assigned to a consultant from the Kentucky APEX Accelerator to provide one-on-one coaching specific to the needs of each business. Areas of support include business readiness assessments, guidance with crafting a business capabilities statement and assistance with certifications for women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned business designations.

“The CDA helps construction businesses work together to succeed, empowering them to achieve small wins that lead to big wins,” said Kentucky APEX Accelerator Executive Director Nancy Brown. “The program marks the power of collaboration, the value of diversity and the recognition that economic inclusion is not just a box to be checked. It is a necessity for the growth of the construction industry.” 

“The CDA enters year three with growing support,” said UK Economic Inclusion Manager Marilyn Clark. "This year, we added three new community partners: the Louisville Metro Human Rights Commission, the UK Federal Credit Union and Equity Solutions Group. These new partners bring new resources, different perspectives, and more opportunities to the cohort. I am excited about the talents and skills evident in this cohort and look forward to the continued partnership with Turner Construction and the Kentucky APEX Accelerator.”

Community Partners include:

Blue Grass Airport

Commerce Lexington

Fayette County Public Schools

Equity Solutions Group

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission

Lynn Imaging

Messer Construction

U.S. Small Business Administration

UK Economic Development Collaborative

UK Economic Inclusion

UK Federal Credit Union

UK Procurement Services

About Turner Construction

Turner Construction is one of the largest construction companies in the country with regional offices in Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The Construction Diversity Accelerator is based on the company’s acclaimed Turner School of Construction Management program, which is the oldest community outreach program in Turner’s history. It was initiated in 1969 to address the needs of diverse suppliers and soon became an opportunity to develop strategic business relationships with minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, small, and underrepresented construction-related firms. Since then, Turner has been committed to intentionally creating opportunities that lead to greater equity and inclusion in the construction industry. You can learn more about Turner's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here. 

About Kentucky APEX Accelerator

Formally known as KYPTAC, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator is an initiative of the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation (KSTC) that promotes economic development and private-sector business growth by providing free assistance to companies interested in providing products or services to federal, state and local governments and large primes, which annually offer billions of dollars in contracts to private sector companies. Kentucky APEX Accelerator is funded in part through cooperative agreements with the Department of Defense and Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development. Learn more at www.kyapex.com.

About the University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky is a public land grant university dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service, and health care. As Kentucky's flagship institution, the university plays a critical leadership role by promoting diversity, inclusion, economic development, and human well-being.