WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has recognized Clark Construction Group’s Strategic Partnership Program as one of four finalists for the “Best Economic Empowerment Program”. The recognition was bestowed during the Chamber’s 2019 Citizens Awards Gala on November 14 in Washington, D.C. The Citizens Awards, which are given in eight categories, recognize the most strategic and innovative corporate citizenship programs from businesses, chambers, and associations of all sizes. The Best Economic Empowerment Program Award honors programs that tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. Over the past 20 years, some of the most accomplished social and community initiatives within the business sector have been recognized with this distinction.

“Clark is honored to be recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for our work to support small businesses nationwide,” said Wesley Stith, Clark’s vice president of procurement who has been instrumental in the program’s founding and growth over the last 13 years. “The Strategic Partnership Program has been a labor of love for our organization. It is incredibly rewarding to witness program graduates leverage the knowledge and skills they’ve gained through the course to take their businesses to the next level, and even more rewarding when we’re able to work alongside them on our construction sites.”

The Strategic Partnership Program is an intensive executive MBA-style course targeted to local small business enterprises including minority-, women-, and veteran-owned firms. Clark developed the program in partnership with Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business with the primary goal of growing the capacity of small contractors to enable them to contribute to large-scale construction projects. Nearly 200 small business owners are currently enrolled in Clark’s 2019-20 class nationwide.

The months-long development program is free to small business participants and features a comprehensive curriculum designed to give students a solid foundation for growth. Clark’s building professionals shepherd courses and work alongside outside industry experts to lead in-depth classroom discussions on topics such as finance and accounting, insurance and bonding, project management, contracts, estimating, and purchasing, as well as general business competencies, such as networking and presentation skills. The curriculum is also supplemented by special workshops and extended learning opportunities.

In addition to Clark Construction Group, the finalists recognized for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Best Economic Empowerment Program” included Barclays, Kellogg Company, and Sachse Construction.

Learn more about the Citizen Awards program and winners at https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/citizens-awards.

About Clark Construction Group

Clark Construction Group, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced and respected providers of construction services. American-owned and operated since 1906, Clark is consistently ranked by leading industry organizations as one of the largest general building and civil construction companies with annual revenues of approximately $5 billion. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company has offices strategically located to serve clients throughout the country. Founded in 2006, Clark’s Strategic Partnership program is a key component to Clark’s holistic approach to supporting small business growth and development. Clark currently offers the program in seven cities, including Bethesda, MD, Chicago, IL, Kansas City, MO, Irvine, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA. To date, more than 800 people have graduated from the program and Clark has awarded more than $1 billion of contracts to graduates nationwide, resulting in a total economic impact of more than $2.3 billion.

About U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. The organization educates the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.