Bechtel and FEMA House 30,000 People in Katrina Recovery

Bechtel helping to expand participation of Mississippi businesses  

Jackson, MS, Oct. 28, 2005—More than 30,000 Mississippi residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina have now moved into emergency housing that Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI) has installed and readied for occupancy on FEMA’s behalf.

To further help Mississippi businesses in their efforts to aid residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, representatives of Bechtel will participate in a series of economic workshops announced by Gov. Haley Barbour.  Sponsored by the Mississippi Development Authority, the workshops will help the state’s small, woman-owned, and minority businesses learn more about federal contracting opportunities.

“We’ve helped FEMA place over 30,000 people into nearly 12,000 trailers, thanks in part to the assistance of Mississippi businesses,” said Andy Phelps, Bechtel program manager.  “While helping residents who have lost their homes, nearly 85 percent of Bechtel’s subcontracted dollars have been spent with small businesses and 60 percent with Mississippi companies.”

In addition to working with individual businesses, Bechtel has benefited from working closely with Mississippi chapters of the Associated General Contractors, the American Subcontractors Association, and the Associated Builders and Contractors.   

Representatives from Bechtel and other prime contractors will join small and disadvantaged business specialists representing FEMA, MEMA, and the Department of Homeland Security.  Also participating will be the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration.  Networking workshops will be held on the following dates and locations:

Thursday, November 3
Biloxi, 8:00 am     
St. Martin Community Center    
15004 Lemoyne Blvd.  

Monday, November 7
Meridian, 8:00 am
Delaney Hall, Meridian Community College
110 Highway 19 North  

Wednesday, November 9
Jackson, 8:00 am
Mississippi E-Center, Jackson State University
1230 Raymond Road  

Tuesday, November 15
Greenville, 8:00 am
Washington County Convention Center
1040 South Raceway Road  

Thursday, November 17
Columbus, 8:00 am
Trotter Convention Center (Lower Level)
2nd Avenue North  

Based in Frederick, MD, Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI) is a leading provider of services to the U.S. government, specializing in large, complex projects in such areas as defense, space, energy, security, and the environment. BNI is part of San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp., one of the world's premier engineering, construction, and project management companies, with experience on more than 22,000 projects in 140 countries.