minority resource center

minority resource center Sec. 906. The Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.) is amended (1) by redesignating sections 11 tlirough 15 thereof as sections 12 through 16 thereof, and (2) by inserting a new section 11 as follows: “minority resource center “Sec. 11. (a) The Secretary shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, establish a Minority Resource Center (hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Center’). “(b) The Center shall have an Advisory Committee, which shall consist of 5 individuals appointed by the Secretary from lists of 3 qualified individuals recommended by minority-dominated trade associations in the minority business community. “(c) The Center is authorized to— “(1) establish and maintain, and disseminate information from, a national information clearinghouse for minority entrepreneurs and businesses, for purposes of furnishing, to such entrepreneurs and businesses, information with respect to business opportunities 90 STAT. 150involving the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, and revitalization of the Nation’s railroads; “(2) assist minority entrepreneurs and businesses in obtaining investment capital and debt financing; “(3) conduct market research, planning, economic and business analyses, and feasibility studies to identify such opportunities; “(4) design and conduct programs to encourage, promote, and assist minority entrepreneurs and businesses to secure contracts, subcontracts, and projects related to the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, and revitalization of the Nation’s railroads; “(5) enter into such contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary in the conduct of its functions and duties; “(6) develop support mechanisms, including venture capital, surety and bonding organizations, and management and technical services, which will enable minority entrepreneurs and businesses to take advantage of business opportunities related to the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, and revitalization of the Nation’s railroads; and “(7) participate in, and cooperate with, all Federal programs and other programs designed to provide financial, management, and other forms of support and assistance to minority entrepreneurs and businesses. “(d) The United States Railway Association, the Consolidated Rail Corporation, and the Secretary shall provide the Center with such relevant information, including procurement schedules, bids, and specifications with respect to particular maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, and revitalization projects, as may be requested by the Center in connection with the performance of its functions. “(e) As used in this section, the term ‘minority’ includes women.”.