Hardrives Construction, Inc.

From the Big Sky Business Journal

Bailey Named Minority Small Business Person of the Year

September 15, 2001 -- "Jim Bailey, President of Hardrives Construction, Inc. in Billings has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2001 Minority Small Business Person of the Year for Montana.

The Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award is given each year in honor of Minority Enterprise Development (MED) designated the week of September 23-26, 2001, as MED Week to celebrate minority business owners whose participation in federal contracting has contributed significantly to the nation's economy.  

Hardrives Construction, Inc. is a full service Asian-owned asphalt paving, excavation, concrete, and pavement maintenance company located in Billings and has been in business since 1989.  In 1991, the company was incorporated to actively market itself as a general construction company and to enable them to continue to be more profitable, marketable, and in a position to change and grow within the ever changing economy.  Jim Bailey recognized that if Hardrives Construction, Inc. was going to grow and become more profitable, he was going to have to broaden the company's marketing area to gain more potential customers and cover a larger geographical area.

SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program was just the tool.  The 8(a) program has become an essential instrument for helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society and has helped thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs gain a foothold in government contracting.  Hardrives Construction, Inc. was accepted into the 8(a) program in September 2000, and since that time has successfully obtained and completed five federal contracts totaling over $1.3 million.  Scott Langman, Director of the Small Business Development Center in Billings nominated Jim Bailey of Hardrives Construction, Inc. for this award.  The SBA Montana District Office will honor Mr. Bailey at his place of business located at 4800 A Helfrick, Billings, MT  59101, September 26, 2001, at 3:00 p.m."