I am honored to have been invited to this event, and I'm happy to see that Lt. Governor Perdue is joining us.

It's essential to recognize the valuable resource our disadvantaged businesses provide, particularly in the construction of our highways.

Disadvantaged businesses have been contractors or subcontractors on about 56 percent of roads constructed or improved here in Fayetteville.

And DOT continues to provide opportunities for disadvantaged businesses to become more involved with state projects. In the coming year, DOT will sponsor workshops and safety training to help these businesses, that have been certified by the department, better prepare for jobs and contracts in the construction industry.

These include:

• An Entrepreneurial Development Program that helps develop business plans, estimate what start-up costs are needed -- as well as more in-depth issues such as project estimating, bid preparation, how to submit a bid, project management and how computers can help improve efficiencies.

• The General Contractor License Workshop helps these businesses prepare for the general contractor license test.

• Our Plan Reading Workshop will have representatives from DOT that will help these businesses better understand how to read construction plans.

• The Division Workshop introduces businesses to the Small Business Enterprise program and lets them know how to obtain work in their areas.

• Our Prime Builder Program works with businesses that have the potential to move from being a disadvantaged business to a prime builder for DOT. We work with them on the regulations and laws that are required in construction contracts as prime builders and we help them estimate how much equipment and personnel will be needed on these bigger jobs.

As you can see, we're doing a lot to help make sure that everyone is given an opportunity to apply and work on our highway contracts - from some of the largest to the smallest contractors and subcontractors in our state.

Our goal this year is for more than 14 percent of our statewide contracts to be awarded to disadvantaged businesses.

We will continue to make this a top priority in our business operations.

It is the diversity of people who work with DOT that forms the foundation of our success in this state.

It is also our diversity that binds us together as one nation under God.

As we reflect on last weeks attacks on America, it's important to remember something Governor Easley said, "Now is the time for everyone to come together, not only as one North Carolina and one America but indeed as one world bound together by the bonds of humankind."

It is also important to come together and celebrate our many successes - and that's why we are here today.

Recognizing your outstanding businesses for their many contributions is a step in the right direction in helping Governor Easley achieve his vision for One North Carolina - a state where every person matters.

I want to thank the Cumberland Regional Improvement Corporation for showing their support, and I would like to thank all of those who were involved in putting this event together.