Author Description

Many airports are already taking active steps to address and unlock the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce. These programs provide benefits to the airport and surrounding communities, but there has not been a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis for diversity contracting programs and their impact on the workforce. The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program's ACRP Research Report 217: Guidance for Diversity in Airport Business Contracting and Workforce Programs provides guidelines to assist airport operators and various stakeholders at airports of all types and sizes to identify and quantify the benefits, costs, and regional economic impact of diversity contracting for airport businesses. As recipients of federal funds, airports are required to administer a federal program that seeks to provide equal access for participation in airport-related business opportunities. Likewise, many airports are also obligated to do so under state and local programs. The report includes additional materials: an Airport Diversity Contracting Tool and a Tool Users Guide.