The Program

The mission of the Contractors Assistance Program (CAP) is to foster the successful business development of small, minority, and/or female contractors. The definition of “small contractor”, as used by the US Small Business Administration, is an owner or employee of a construction company with current annual sales volume of less than $2.5 million and current net worth of under $1 million.

CAP offers training and support services to enhance general construction business knowledge and performance at three (3) locations- CAP East in the metro Detroit area, CAP Central in Flint, and CAP West in Grand Rapids.

 Contractors Assistance Program / Graduate Directory

Program Details

CAP offers 60 hours of business training twice a year to small, minority and/or female contractors. These weekly sessions are typically held on Saturdays and weeknights to accommodate contractors’ work schedules during the fall and winter months.

2009 Spring Classes

The construction-related topics offered include:

• Bidding, Estimating, Job Costing
• Business Management & Marketing
• Design and Building Science
• Contracts, Liability, Risk Management
• Project Management, Scheduling, Labor
• Permits and Residential Code
• Bookkeeping, Finance & Legal
• Green Building and Safety

CAP has been approved by the State of Michigan as a 60 hour Prelicensure course for the Residential Builder’s Licensing Exam. Qualified participants that successfully complete the 60 hour curriculum will be eligible to take the Licensing Exam.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the Contractors Assistance Program must:

• Own a construction-related business or have been involved in a construction-related trade for at least two years.
• Have a current annual sales volume of less than $2.5 million.
• Have a current net worth of less than $1 million.

Experienced instructors, licensed as Residential Builders, lead all of the sessions, using an interactive, hands-on approach. This key benefit allows participants to network with each other and provides a practical perspective to the business. Special guest speakers include accountants, architects, attorneys, bankers, contractors, marketing and other seasoned professionals; their expertise enhances the program’s value.

The program’s curriculum has three facets:

• Classroom-style training by professionals which provides practical, sound advice for running a small business more effectively and efficiently
• Networking opportunities with regional contractors to maximize growth potential
• Business Assistance for qualified participants with access to attorneys, CPAs, bidding experts and public relations professionals to provide general business assistance.

Applicant Cost

$100 enrollment fee to cover class materials will be required of all qualified applicants.

Contact Information

To find out more about the Contractors Assistance Program or to request a program application, please locate your business area on the state map and contact the appropriate CAP Coordinator listed below:

• CAP WEST- Serving Grand Rapids and Western Michigan P. 800.392.5506 F. 231.739.5450 EMAIL: mshdacapwest@aol. com
• CAP CENTRAL- Serving the Flint, Saginaw and Bay City areas P. 810.785.9585 F. 810.787.8769 EMAIL: mshdacapcentral@aol.com
• CAP EAST- Serving the greater Detroit Area P. 800.820.7663 F. 313.963.1005 EMAIL: mshdacapeast@prodigy.net