In an effort to boost economic development throughout the state, the California High-Speed Rail Authority recently launched ConnectHSR, a free, online vendor registry that will provide businesses, large and small, with a quick and easy way to get connected to high-speed rail business opportunities.

“With the launch of ConnectHSR, the High-Speed Rail Authority is making it easier for California’s businesses to participate in the nation’s first high-speed rail system,” said Jesse Torres, deputy director and small business advocate for the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. “I encourage businesses of all sizes to sign up for ConnectHSR and learn more about opportunities to do business with high-speed rail.”

Opportunities for businesses to participate in the program in the coming years will include procurements associated with high-speed rail facilities, stations, civil infrastructure, tracks and systems, high-speed trains and countless other services. Businesses add their name to a list of interested parties wanting to participate in the program by registering though ConnectHSR, and additional benefits include receiving notifications of new procurements, invitations to business-focused events and workshops and opportunities to connect and partner with other interested businesses.

“I have heard from many people throughout the state who have been looking for a tool just like ConnectHSR to help them express their firms’ interest in being part of this historic project and learn more about program opportunities,” said the Authority’s Small Business Advocate Alice Rodriguez. “Launching ConnectHSR also represents another important step for the program to ensure small and disadvantaged businesses have more opportunities than ever to contribute to the nation’s first high-speed rail program and help the program meet its aggressive small business goals.”

The Authority has committed itself to maximizing small business participation in the high-speed rail system, with a Small Business Program which plays a major role in the construction of the high-speed rail and is creating local jobs and economic activity for the small business community. Construction of the high-speed rail will create 20,000 jobs in the Central Valley over the next five years, and there are currently 327 certified small businesses working on the high-speed rail program statewide – 75 of which are in the Central Valley.

With more than 119 miles of active construction in the Central Valley, construction of a high-speed rail line between the Silicon Valley and Central Valley is planned for passenger service beginning in 2025.

Participation in ConnectHSR is free and open to all businesses. Once registered, firms will be listed when current and prospective prime contractors search ConnectHSR for sub-contractors by trade, region or certification type. To learn more and get registered, visit www.connecthsr.com.