The N.C. Department of Transportation is holding a series of outreach meetings throughout the state to inform Disadvantaged Business Enterprises of contracting opportunities in transportation and on projects funded with monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"With the high volume of stimulus-funded projects the department is about to embark on, this is the perfect time for minority- and women-owned businesses to get involved with NCDOT," said Deputy Secretary of Administration and Business Development Anthony Roper. "These outreach meetings provide businesses with information on potential contracting opportunities, on services offered by the department's BOWD Office, and creates a platform for networking with other firms."

The meetings are sponsored by NCDOT's Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Office. Local NCDOT field personnel will be in attendance at each meeting to discuss upcoming projects. Information will also be presented to minority- and women-owned businesses who are interested in the steps required to become a certified and prequalified contractor.

Upcoming meetings will take place at the following locations:

• Fayetteville

April 23 from 10 a.m.-Noon

Docks at the Capitol

2nd Floor Banquet Room

126 Hay St.

• Raleigh

April 28 from 9-11:30 a.m.

North Carolina Judicial Center

901 Corporate Center Drive

• Winston-Salem

May 5 from 9-11 a.m.

Wake Forest University

University Corporate Center

110 Reynolds Blvd.

• Greenville

May 14 from 9-11 a.m.

East Carolina University

Willis Building

300 E. First St.

• Greensboro

May 14 from 9-11 a.m.

Triad Regional Transportation Management Center

201 S. Chimney Rock Road

• Carthage

May 21 from 10 a.m.-Noon

NCDOT Traffic Services Building

Conference Room

150 DOT Drive

• Castle Hayne

June 9 from 10 a.m.-Noon

NCDOT Traffic Services Building

Conference Room

5504 Barbados Drive

Meetings have already been held in Asheville, Charlotte, Edenton and Wilson.