Business Diversity Programs at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Contribute $1.2 Billion to Local Economy

Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport announced today that $1.2 billion is contributed to the North Texas economy by engaging disadvantaged, small, minority and women-owned businesses (D/S/M/WBE), according to a study conducted by The Perryman Group (TPG). The Airport released the results of the economic impact of its business diversity programs which also accounts for 7500 jobs and $366 million in associated payroll at the annual Champions of Diversity award ceremony today at the Grand Hyatt DFW.

“Not only is diversity essential in today’s business world, it has proven to yield significant economic results. In fact, The Perryman Group study shows a nearly 9 percent increase in the total economic impact associated with firms participating in DFW Airport’s diversity and development program since 2013,” said DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue. “By collaborating with our business partners, and other champions of diversity in our community, DFW is fostering an environment that is both diverse and economically prosperous.”

“DFW Airport is a large and growing source of opportunity for businesses that are small or owned by women or minorities. In turn, those businesses generate economic activity across the economy,” said Ray Perryman, CEO, TPG. “The recent trend in the magnitude of diversity program awards (contract values) indicates the ongoing success of these initiatives and reflects the continuing commitment of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to the entirety of its constituent community.”

DFW Airport maintains annual goals for engaging D/S/M/WBE firms in concessions, contracting and subcontracting activities. Each year since 2012, the Airport has awarded more than 35 percent of its business contracts to D/S/M/WBE firms.

“We all thrive when our business relationships reflect a robust and diverse business community. The numbers tell a great story, but the numbers only tell half of the story,” said Linda Valdez Thompson, executive vice president of Administration and Diversity for DFW Airport. “The rest of the story is a personal story and it’s about the ripple effect on our community – it’s about jobs and people. Jobs supported by DFW’s business diversity initiatives increased 12%, which means our job growth associated with business diversity grew faster than the 7 percent job growth for the region, and we are proud of that.”

For DFW’s annual Champions of Diversity awards, DFW invited its 12 advocacy partners to engage in the process and nominate up to three businesses from a full list of active prime contractors and subcontractors that hold membership in each advocacy partner organization. Honorees were selected based on criteria for how they support each advocacy organization, as well as how nominees support diversity in every aspect of their business organization, operations and relationships.

“Through our Champions of Diversity awards we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to diversity and recognize those business whose dedication to diversity align with DFW’s focus,” said Thompson. “We applaud all of the nominees and winners. Our work together is changing people’s lives.”

The 2016 Champions of Diversity award recipients are:

• Ad-A-Staff, Inc., nominated by the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber
• Alpha Business Images, LLC, nominated by the DFW Minority Supplier Development Council
• Argent Associates, nominated by the Women’s Business Council Southwest
• Arredondo, Zepeda & Brunz, LLC, nominated by the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association
• Facility Interiors Inc., nominated by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
• R.D. Howard LLC, nominated by the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber
• Southwest Concessions, Inc., nominated by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber
• Thos S. Byrne, Ltd., nominated by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• 5G Studio - Collaborative, LLC, nominated by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber

More information about DFW Airport’s business diversity and development program can be found at www.dfwairport.com/bdd and by viewing the video, DFW Airport – Diversity Programs Economic Impact.