Inclusion a slam dunk for Mortenson

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General construction contractor Mortenson tries to do more than simply check the box when it comes to hiring women- and minority-owned businesses.

The company’s commitment to hiring diverse firms was on display as it set about finding subcontractors for the construction of the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. City incentives committed the developers to hiring Milwaukee County residents for 40 percent of the job hours and minority-, women- and veteran-owned companies for 25 percent of the construction contracts.

The goals are aimed at broadening opportunities for these sorts of companies. To get the word out, Mortenson held seven town halls with city officials throughout Milwaukee. In all, about 700 people attended those sessions, where they received information about how to join training programs that would qualify them for the project. Many went on to work on the Fiserv project and start a career in the construction industry.

“Mortenson has been a crucial partner in helping us provide opportunities for thousands of city residents, many of whom have been unemployed or underemployed, to help build the future of downtown Milwaukee,” said Alex Lasry, senior vice president of the Milwaukee Bucks. “They share our passion for the community and are helping us make a difference. As a result, we not only exceeded our RPP goals but our diversity goals as well.”

Mortenson reached its inclusion goals, finding 43 percent of the needed workers in Milwaukee County. Of the workers on the project, 32 percent were minorities and 7 percent women.

And of the $241 million worth of contracts that Mortenson was awarded as part of the Fiserv project, 33 percent went to SBE firms, or about $80 million. In all, 51 SBE-qualified companies worked on the Fiserv Forum.