California agencies with tens of billions of dollars of construction joined more than 40 other groups in a movement to drive contracting opportunities for historically underutilized businesses.

Construction Inclusion Week, set for Oct. 16-20, has more than 5,000 contractor and other participants signed up this year; while leaders on Oct. 3 launched AEC Unites, a nonprofit focused on recruitment of Black professionals and sustained hiring of Black-owned companies.

MBE programs are deeply entrenched, but conservative opponents now target disparity studies that have been their foundation.

Unpredictable contract scopes, lax MBE compliance records and chronic late pay can add to prime-sub tensions.

Six construction firms and eight executives allegedly stole jobs from women and minority owned businesses, says D.A.