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.
Latest from NAHBNow
May 30, 2025
NAHB Members Provide Final Recommendations for New WOTUS RuleNAHB members concluded their participation in multiple “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) listening sessions with strong showings in Washington, D.C., and Salt Lake City. In total, 12 NAHB members and four staff members from NAHB and state home builder associations (HBAs), representing 11 states, provided oral statements at listening sessions.
May 30, 2025
Statement from NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes on DOL Decision to Pause Job Corps Center OperationsNAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes issued the following statement after the Department of Labor announced it was pausing Job Corps center operations nationwide.
Latest Economic News
May 30, 2025
Multifamily Absorption Moves Lower for New ApartmentsThe percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion continued to trend lower, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).
May 29, 2025
Treasury Yield Increase Drives Mortgage Rates Higher in MayMortgage rates continued their upward trend in May due to market volatility triggered by fiscal concerns and weaker U.S. Treasury demand. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.82% — a 9-basis-point (bps) increase from April. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by 5 bps to 5.95%.
May 28, 2025
Aging-in-Place Remodeling Work Fell While Familiarity and Receptiveness Remain HighOnly 56% of professional remodelers undertake projects designed to allow homeowners to Age-in-Place (AIP), according to results from NAHB’s Q1 2025 Remodeling Market Index (RMI) survey.