CalAsian Chamber Awarded Federal Grant to Help Small Businesses Compete for Transportation Contracts

New regional center strengthens CalAsian’s integrated platform of federal and state technical-assistance programs.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2026) — The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian) has been awarded a $441,559 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish and operate the Region 6 Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Center, known as SBTTAC.

Based in Sacramento, the Region 6 SBTTAC will serve small businesses across Alaska, California, Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Guam. The center will assist small businesses become better prepared to compete for, secure and manage transportation-related contracts and subcontracts. Services include one-on-one business counseling, procurement and proposal assistance, financial and bonding readiness, structured training, and connections to transportation agencies, prime contractors, lenders and other specialized resources.

“Small businesses need a trusted place where experienced advisors understand their business, connect them to the right resources and stay with them as they pursue contract opportunities,” said Pat Fong Kushida, president and CEO of the CalAsian Chamber. “This award recognizes CalAsian’s past performance in providing high-impact technical-assistance to small businesses to access capital, compete for contracts, and grow.”

The new center is part of CalAsian’s broader portfolio of federally and state-supported business assistance programs. Together, these offerings provide small businesses with one coordinated point of entry to seasoned advisors and high-quality assistance.  

CalAsian will deliver the program through its established technical-assistance infrastructure and a regional network of transportation agencies, prime contractors, Small Business Development Centers, APEX Accelerators, lenders, bonding specialists and other business-support organizations. Services will be available to all eligible small businesses seeking to pursue transportation-related opportunities.

The cooperative agreement covers an initial 12-month period, with two additional option years based on performance.

Media Contact:  Anette Smith

Email: asmith@calasiancc.org

Phone: 916-752-1524

About the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce

The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce works to grow and empower California’s small-business community through technical assistance, access to capital and contracts, leadership development, strategic partnerships and policy advocacy. Its integrated network of public- and private-sector programs connects entrepreneurs with experienced advisors, practical resources and opportunities to start, strengthen and grow their businesses.