Rhode Island Builders Association Helps Boost Minority Business Success

The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) has partnered with the Rhode Island Builders Association to implement the Latino & Female-Based Enterprise Program to develop, promote and grow a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) business training initiative. The goal is to support the development of minority contractors to become equitably registered and increase their development and capacity to overcome barriers.

The training program, part of the association’s already established Contractor Development Program, will focus on the development of resources, class offerings and credit-driven programs that enable individuals to pursue and establish successful careers as builders and contractors in Rhode Island. 

“Our goal is to ensure the minority residential construction industry has the resources they need to succeed,” said Margarita Robledo Guedes, Woman and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (W/MBE) program manager at the Rhode Island Builders Association.

Reina Maritza Tutila is one individual who has benefited from the program. She and her husband have more than 10 years of experience in the construction industry building residential and commercial buildings. After relocating to Rhode Island from New York, Tutila opened her own residential painting company, F. Lines LLC. She received her Renovation, Repair, or Painting (RRP) certification from the association, then acquired her Residential/Commercial license and became MBE certified. During this process, she took every single course in Spanish.

“Being able to take courses in Spanish has allowed us to learn more about how to run a business in the state and to know all the opportunities that exist to move forward,” said Tutila. “Thanks to the MBE sessions sponsored by the Department of Administration, my business is now MBE certified. I am looking forward to more business opportunities.”

She participated in the 2023 Rhode Island Home Show as an MBE sponsored by DLT and hopes to join a future show. She is taking continuing educational courses in Spanish, and her personal goal is to grow and develop a larger company to provide a legacy for her family and expand her business.