{"id":844669,"date":"2025-04-30T09:11:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/30\/hacias-2024-impact-report-how-one-organization-is-building-a-more-inclusive-construction-industry\/"},"modified":"2025-04-30T09:11:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:11:23","slug":"hacias-2024-impact-report-how-one-organization-is-building-a-more-inclusive-construction-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/30\/hacias-2024-impact-report-how-one-organization-is-building-a-more-inclusive-construction-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"HACIA\u2019s 2024 Impact Report: How one organization is building a more inclusive construction industry"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

For more than 40 years, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) has been a voice for equity in Illinois\u2019 construction ecosystem. From advocating for policy change to helping small and diverse-owned businesses build capacity and access opportunity, HACIA\u2019s impact is tangible \u2014 and growing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today, as industries grapple with workforce shortages, supply chain demands and evolving environmental standards, one truth remains clear: a thriving construction industry must be a diverse one.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Powerful Network with a Purpose\u00a0<\/h4>\n

With more than 350 members, HACIA is one of the largest professional communities of small and diverse construction-related businesses in the state of Illinois. Its members include contractors, architects, engineers and suppliers \u2014 from startups to established firms \u2014 many of which are navigating barriers tied to scale, access and certification.\u00a0<\/p>\n

New members don\u2019t just gain networking opportunities \u2014 they gain a full network of trusted business partners. While more than 3100 individuals attended HACIA\u2019s\u00a0events in 2024, the organization also offers tailored technical assistance, introductions to decision-makers, M\/W\/DBE certification assistance and access to workforce and capacity-building programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur focus is not only creating equity in the construction industry, but ensuring our members grow once they\u2019ve found their place,\u201d says Executive Director Jacqueline Gomez. \u201cThat means up our sleeves to provide hands-on support that creates generational wealth and allows our members to build their business successfully<\/p>\n

Capacity Building That Works<\/h4>\n

HACIA\u2019s signature business accelerator \u2014 the Executive Fellows Program \u2014 helps entrepreneurs strengthen their financial and business plans, expand legal knowledge and more. In 2024 alone, 28 business owners graduated from the program, each gaining individualized support to improve competitiveness and credibility in the construction trade industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Participants like Cesar Lopez of Best Networks, Inc.\u2014a Chicagoland-based IT consulting firm specializing in data cabling, fiber optics, and low-voltage systems for the construction industry\u2014have gone on to secure significant contracts and grow their teams. Collectively, graduates of HACIA\u2019s Business Capacity Programs, including Cesar, have secured over $11 million in contracts and projects following program completion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis program gave me a clear strategy to scale,\u201d Lopez shared after graduating from the Executive Fellows Program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other offerings, like the Contractors Development Program, provide accessible, a-la-carte training for both business owners and their teams \u2014 covering everything from estimating and insurance to sustainability and project operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Workforce of Tomorrow Starts Today\u00a0<\/h4>\n

Beyond business development, HACIA is also laying the foundation for the construction workforce of the future. In 2024, 313 individuals enrolled in HACIA\u2019s workforce programs, with 282 completing training and 104 securing job placements or union applications.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Programs<\/a> like the IL Works General Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program, EV charging installation training and Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship help HACIA\u2019s job seekers \u2014 especially from underserved communities \u2014 gain the skills and connections needed to launch sustainable careers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From Policy to Progress<\/h4>\n

HACIA\u2019s impact is felt across the state, even inside the Capitol Building in Springfield, where its advocacy team pushes for structural change. In 2024, that work resulted in the implementation of Public Act 103-570 \u2014 a game-changing law that reduces bonding barriers for small contractors on IDOT and Tollway projects. This monumental accomplishment opens more work to small and diverse-owned businesses and helps them get involved with the competitive bidding process.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other wins include legislation for faster payment timelines, better supplier diversity transparency and recognition of local M\/WBE certifications. These efforts ensure that small businesses don\u2019t just survive \u2014 they compete.\u00a0<\/p>\n

An Invitation to New Business Owners<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re a small or diverse business owner in construction \u2014 especially one looking to expand, get certified, or build connections \u2014 HACIA is the community you\u2019ve been missing. With more than 350 members and plenty of events and\/or workshops available, there are professional opportunities waiting for you. HACIA\u2019s membership benefits are also conveniently available on their membership page to provide their membership\u2019s full value<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To learn more about HACIA\u2019s programs, membership, or upcoming events, visit www.haciaworks.org<\/a>.\u202fAnd to read the full impact report, you can click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Read More<\/a>
\n Christeen Geddes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For more than 40 years, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) has been a voice for equity in Illinois\u2019 construction ecosystem. From advocating for policy change to helping small and diverse-owned businesses build capacity and access opportunity, HACIA\u2019s impact is tangible \u2014 and growing.\u00a0 Today, as industries grapple with workforce shortages, supply chain demands<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":844670,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[143553,29433],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-844669","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hacias","8":"category-impact"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/844669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=844669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/844669\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/844670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=844669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=844669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=844669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}