New Jersey’s offshore wind industry is just starting to take root, representing a transformational opportunity for our state, inaugurating a new mode of producing clean, renewable energy for the region and generating pathways for job creation, supply chain investment and workforce development at a large scale. For New Jersey’s small, minority-, women- and veteran-owned business enterprises (SMWVBEs, as they often are classified), this new sector offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accelerate inclusive economic development through billions of dollars of contract opportunities, significant job growth, investments in human capital and expanded business know-how.Historically, the SMWVBE community has faced systemic barriers to entry into high-growth industries. For example, SMWVBEs often encounter a sizeable disadvantage when competing for supply chain contracts in emerging sectors or are left out of early contracts in new industries. The Garden State’s nascent offshore wind industry presents a unique opportunity to upend this cycle, instead building an industry representative of our diverse population. It’s not just about participation; it’s about providing a significant role for diverse businesses in offshore wind that will create ripples of economic advancement for generations to come.The upcoming award of the third offshore wind solicitation from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities represents billions of dollars of supply chain contracting — a tremendous opportunity for bold action, strategic investment and collaborative efforts that will create a sustainable, equitable supply chain. This opportunity to bring SMWVBE contractors, manufacturers and suppliers into New Jersey’s clean energy economy will uplift our communities and provide meaningful economic advancement, but only if we do this right.Placing value on proposals that prioritize incorporating SMWVBEs into the offshore wind supply chain not only promotes equitable economic growth, but leverages the unique perspectives and skills these businesses bring

Milhouse has been named a 'Best & Brightest Companies to Work For' for 18 years in a row and is ranked as an 'ENR Top 500 Design Firm'.

Event, sponsored by African American and New Jersey chambers, will honor companies that have embraced DEIThe African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that Wilbur Milhouse III, chairman and CEO of Milhouse Engineering & Construction in Newark, will be a featured speaker at the 2023 DEI Trailblazer Awards, the African American Chamber announced.Milhouse, an award-winning entrepreneur with more than 30 years of diversified civil and structural engineering experience, has transformed his expertise into a global enterprise that has garnered national attention.Want to go? The DEI Trailblazer Awards will be held from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge. Click here for more information.More than that, his passion for community advancement led to the co-founding of Milhouse Charities in 2012, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic achievements and opportunities for minorities and underrepresented youth by supporting STEM-focused initiatives.John Harmon, the founder and CEO of the African American Chamber, was thrilled to make the announcement.“It is an honor to have the leader of the largest Black-owned engineering design firm in the United States speak at the DEI Trailblazer Awards ceremony,” he said. “This is a special treat for our guests.”This year’s DEI Trailblazer Awards event marks the second annual ceremony co-hosted by AACCNJ and the state chamber. It is dedicated to recognizing companies and organizations that are making noteworthy progress in the crucial domains of diversity, equity & inclusion.Specifically, the DEI Trailblazer Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in six distinct categories:Supplier diversity: Recognizing businesses committed to diverse contracting for goods and services;Recognizing businesses committed to diverse contracting for goods and services; Access to capital: Commending businesses supporting enhanced access to capital for historically marginalized enterprises and entrepreneurs;Commending businesses supporting enhanced access to capital for historically marginalized enterprises and entrepreneurs; Corporate board diversity: Celebrating businesses with diverse board compositions that reflect underrepresented communities;Celebrating businesses with diverse board compositions that reflect underrepresented communities; Workforce diversity: Honoring businesses that exhibit a strong commitment to diversifying their staff through comprehensive recruiting, hiring and retention efforts;Honoring businesses that exhibit a strong commitment to diversifying their staff through comprehensive recruiting, hiring and retention efforts; Corporate citizenship: Recognizing businesses with a significant commitment to philanthropy and community engagement, with a focus on historically marginalized communities;Recognizing businesses with a significant commitment to philanthropy and community engagement, with a focus on historically marginalized communities; Emerging DEI Influencer: Applauding businesses in the early stages of DEI implementation, demonstrating intentionality across the above categories.The 2023 nominees include a who’s who of New Jersey companies, including: AmeriHealth; Bank of America; Bridge Builders Newark LLC; CannPowerment; the Ceceilyn Miller Institute for Leadership & Diversity; Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi P.C.; Cole Schotz; Delta Dental of New Jersey; Gibbons P.C.; Hackensack Meridian Health; Johnson & Johnson; Lockerbie & Co.; Modivcare; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Phillips 66-Bayway Refinery; Public Service Enterprise Group; Santander U.S.; Somerset County Business Partnership; Tené Nícole Creative Agency; UnitedHealth Group; and We Are Jersey