The Clean Water Partnership’s (CWP) Mentor Protégé Program is a supportive services program focused on developing the capacity of local, small and minority firms in stormwater management and green infrastructure projects. The CWP Mentor Protégé Program provides, coaching, training, access to bid opportunities, capital, bonding, certification and other supportive services.

CWP Mentor Protégé Training Curriculum

The CWP Mentor Protégé Training Curriculum was developed to provide Mentor Protégé firms with the foundation needed to compete on CWP projects.  Currently serving the fourth cohort of the Mentor Protégé Program, Mentor Protégé firms will complete the following training:

  • Introduction to the Clean Water Partnership Best Management Practices
  • Blueprint Reading I
  • Blueprint Reading II
  • Cost Estimating Training
  • Branding Your Business
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Planning
  • Scheduling
  • Estimating
  • Sales/Business Development

Mentor Protégé Program Supportive Services

In addition to the CWP Mentor Protégé Training, CWP Mentor Protégé firms receive supportive services support and referrals in an array of disciplines. These services are a direct result of the initial CWP Mentor Protégé Assessment which identifies barriers, deficiencies and Mentor Protégé firm requests for training and development. Supportive services include the following:

  • Ongoing business coaching
  • Bid solicitations for other projects
  • Training Referrals
  • Meeting facilitation
  • General contractor communication
  • Contractor mediation
  • Exposure to county officials, County Council, and Corvias
  • Bonding
  • Payment assistance
  • Human Resources/Employee Manual
  • IT Assessments
  • Bookkeeping

Mentor Protégé Program Pilot Project

The Mentor Protégé Pilot Project provides each cohort of Mentor Protégé firms the opportunity to compete against each other on a CWP project.  Mentor Protégé Program firms learn the complete procurement and construction lifecycle through site visits and classroom instruction.

Mentor Protégé Program Cohort 4 Participants

  • C&M Contractors Services, Inc.
  • Cleckley Development
  • CWI Solutions
  • Insight Engineering
  • Millenium Concepts
  • Minority Environmental Solutions and Services, LLC (MESS)
  • Sterling, LLC

The following firms have participated in the Mentor Protégé Program: