Results | New Jersey - 2023 Offshore Wind Business Supply Chain + DEIJ Survey

“For- Profit”


  • Methodology:

    Survey website was created www.businesssurveygrants.com as a permanent resource to provide small/diverse firms a platform to provide honest and transparent insights. The survey

    implementation included.

    Mobile first user experience.

    Text messaging response capabilities

    Deployment of a communication system that via CRM system HubSpot for mass email communication.

    Direct call and email efforts working with

    Community-based partners with Hub Zone communities

    Accessing New Jersey’s MWBE/SDVOB database

    Direct on the ground engagement was made to organizations through industry activations including American Clean Power, Business Network for Offshore Wind Conferences, and pop-up activations via MRV Group’s Offshore Wind + Job Expos assets.

    • 51% of Participants operate across every region in New Jersey

    • 60% of Participants were unaware of opportunities in the Offshore Wind Industry

    • 40% of Particpants have a formal Supplier Diversity Program within their business

  • Participant 1: For especially small WOSB/MBEs, the process of becoming fully and officially certified as such can be onerous and taxing on vital resources (money and time). Therefore, a way to engage with, vet, and spread opportunities, especially set-asides, to non (or not yet) certified small, local, minority-owned businesses would be a highly appreciated and a great way to not only distribute commercial and potentially business/life-changing opportunities, but also a meaningful way to increase the awareness and discussion of the offshore wind industry and demonstrate the economic benefits to small and local business and their communities.

    Participant 2: Support for businesses that are either undergoing the formal certification process or have displayed commitment to local communities and partnerships. Particular barriers include the up front investment required to locate opportunities in disadvantaged communities that would benefit from the Offshore Wind industry. Often this will require support (in the form of grants) to make locating in the communities that need the benefit financially viable as an organization (and not have smaller subcontractors bear the financial burden of developing the workforce on behalf of the developers. In addition, workforce development activities and community engagement need to consider the community they want to impact as opposed to only looking at the output that is desired by the industry.

    Participant 3: We would suggest to: 1. Regularly assess the effectiveness of supplier diversity initiatives, gather feedback from diverse businesses, and adapt strategies based on the evolving needs and challenges faced by diverse suppliers. 2. Conduct a comprehensive review of procurement processes, policies, and regulations to identify and eliminate any systemic barriers that hinder the inclusion of diverse businesses. 3. Address potential biases, discrimination, and unnecessary burdens that may exist within the procurement system

  • • 51% of participants operate across every region in New Jersey

    • 60% of participants said that a lack of awareness of grant opportunities is a significant challenge for their organization.

    • 60% of participants do not have their own formal supplier diversity program.

1. Survey Participants By Generation

  • 5% The Silent Generation (Born 1928 – 1945)

  • 21% Baby Boomers (Born 1946 – 1964)

  • 45% Generation X (Born 1965 – 1980)

  • 27% Millennials (Born 1981 – 1996)

  • 1% Generation Z (Born 1997 – 2012)

 

2. Number of Years The Organization Has Been In Existence

  • 4% | 1 - 11 months

  • 0% | 1 Year

  • 47% | 2 – 5 Years

  • 17% | 6 – 9 Years

  • 9% | 10 – 15 Years

  • 6% | 16 – 19 Years

  • 6% | 20 – 29  Years

  • 4%  | 30 – 39 Years

  • 3% | 40 – 49 Years

  • 2% | 50 –99 Years

  • 2% | Over 100 Years

 

3. Organization registered to do business in New Jersey

  • 98 % | Yes

  • 2 % | No

 

4. Are you planning to register to do business in New Jersey State within the next 12 months?

  • 100% | Yes

  • 0% | No

 

5. What region of New Jersey does your organization currently serve?

  • 51% | All 5 Regions

  • 30 % | Gateway Region

  • 10% | Shore Region

  • 20% | Skyland Region

  • 17% | Delaware River Region

  • 12% | South Shore Region

  • 3 % | None of the above

*business was permitted to select more then one option.

8. What is your organizations area of business?

  • 18% | Construction, Installation, and Operations/Maintenance

  • 18% | Educational Institute/Training Provider

  • 5% | Environmental, Engineering, Geological, & Testing Services

  • 18% | Equipment, Supplies, Material, and Associated

  • 5% | Manufacturing and Fabrication Services

  • 6% | Marine Facilities, Transport, Logistics, and Safety

  • 1% | Offshore Wind Original Equipment Manufacturer

  • 50% | Professional and Consulting Services

  • 5% | Trades, Labor, and Workforce Organizations

  • 28% | Other

 

7. Please indicate which option best reflects your organization.

  • 63% | Open Shop An open shop is a place of employment at which one is not required to join or financially support a union as a condition of hiring or continued employment.

  • 5% | Union An organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.

  • 18% | Prevailing Wage Is the basic hourly rate of wages and benefits paid to a number of similarly employed workers in a given geography.

  • 13% | Other

  • 0% | N/A

 

8. Does your organization currently operate a formal supplier diversity program?

  • 40% |Yes

  • 60% | No

9. Was your organization planning to conduct business within the offshore wind industry prior to being made aware of and completing this survey?

  • 40% | Yes

  • 60% | No

 10. What is your organization's business enterprise formation?

  • 7% | Sole Proprietorship

  • 3% | Partnership

  • 2% | Limited Partnership

  • 9% | Corporation

  • 75% | Limited Liability Company

  • 0% | Cooperative

  • 4% | Other

11. Majority Ownership

  • 64% | Woman

  • 21% | Man

  • 12% | White

  • 51% | Black or African American

  • 7% | Hispanic

  • 3% American Indian or Alaska Native

  • 5% | Asian

  • 0% | Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

  • 3% | Veteran

  • 2% | Justice- Involved

  • 9% | LGBTQ

  • 5%  | Other

  12. What type of business does your organization conduct?

  • 8% | Commodities

  • 73% | Professional Services

  • 14% | Non-construction services

  • 14% | Construction Services

13. Does your business hold any of the following business certifications as of today's date?

  • 34% | None of the above

  • 27% | Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MWBE)

  • 28% | Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

  • 21% | Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

  • 3% | Locally Based Enterprise (LBE)

  • 0% | Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE)

  • 46% | Small Business Enterprise (SBE)

  • 18% | Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB)

  • 0% | Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE)

  • 2 % | Historically Disadvantaged Business Zone (HUBZone)

  • 2% | Small Business Administration SBA 8(a)

  • 14% | Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

  • 14% | Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

  • 5% | National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

  • 2% | Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

  • 4% | LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE)

  • 0% | Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE)

  • 5% | Other

 


Results | New Jersey - 2023 Offshore Wind Business Supply Chain + DEIJ Surve

Non Profits


    • Most Participants do most of their recruiting through Walk-ins & Social Media

    • Most Businesses would like to have Business Resource Development Support to help support their target demographic

    • Most Particpants would like to learn more about Offshore Wind and Grants from Sector Based Events

  • Participant 1: We are looking to provide our youth the skills and opportunities to be successful in all aspects of life including, mental, physical, social, educational and career development. We provide meals, tutuoring, mentoring and coaching in these areas. Funding to support and improve these goals are paramount to our success.

    Participant 2: Overall, nonprofits bring a valuable perspective to the offshore wind industry, advocating for sustainable practices, environmental protection, social equity, and community engagement. Their involvement helps create a more comprehensive and balanced approach to the development and operation of offshore wind projects, ensuring long-term sustainability and maximizing benefits for all stakeholders.

    • 50% of Participants are invovled in Trades, Labor, and Workforce Organizations

    • 92 % recruit through word of mouth

    • 84 % of Particpants focus on support to Women

1. Survey Participants By Generation

  • 6% The Silent Generation (Born 1928 – 1945)

  • 33% Baby Boomers (Born 1946 – 1964)

  • 46% Generation X (Born 1965 – 1980)

  • 13% Millennials (Born 1981 – 1996)

  • 0% Generation Z (Born 1997 – 2012)

 

2. Number of Years The Organization Has Been In Existence

  • 0% | 1 - 11 months

  • 0% | 1 Year

  • 12% | 2 – 5 Years

  • 0% | 6 – 9 Years

  • 6% | 10 – 15 Years

  • 0% | 16 – 19 Years

  • 12% | 20 – 29  Years

  • 0%  | 30 – 39 Years

  • 6% | 40 – 49 Years

  • 6% | 50 –99 Years

  • 6% | Over 100 Years

 

3. Are you planning to register to do business in New Jersey State within the next 12 months?

  • 61% | Yes

  • 38% | No

 

4. What region of New Jersey does your organization currently serve?

  • 33% | All 5 Regions

  • 59% | Gateway Region

  • 8% | Shore Region

  • 8% | Skyland Region

  • 8% | Delaware River Region

  • 8% | South Shore Region

*business was permitted to select more then one option.

 5. What type of business does your organization conduct?

  • 8% | Commodities

  • 84% | Professional Services

  • 23% | Non-construction services

  • 15% | Construction Services

6. What Population does your organization target?

  • 30% | General K-12

  • 53% | Workforce Youth (16-24)

  • 38% | Elderly

  • 46% | Immigrants

  • 84% | Women

  • 53% | Justice Involved Individuals

  • 61% | Small Business and Entrepreneurs

  • 30% | Other Community Based Organizations

 

7. Which of the following do you use to recruit your program participants?

  • 77% | Walk-ins

  • 53% | Flyers

  • 92% | Referrals

  • 75% |Word of mouth

  • 100% | Social Media

 

8. Does your organization currently operate a formal supplier diversity program?

  • 41% | Yes

  • 59% | No

9. What type of resources would help your target population?

  • 70% | Capacity training

  • 100% |Business development support

  • 46% | A new or improved database of contacts

  • 46% | Data on the population around your community

    *Particpants were allowed to have more than one answer

10 . What is your organizations area of business?

  • 33% | Educational Institute/Training Provider

  • 16% | Environmental, Engineering, Geological, & Testing Services

  • 50% | Professional and Consulting Services

  • 50% | Trades, Labor, and Workforce Organizations

11. Please indicate which option best reflects your organization.

  • 50% | Open Shop An open shop is a place of employment at which one is not required to join or financially support a union as a condition of hiring or continued employment.

  • 0% | Union An organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.

  • 16% | Prevailing Wage Is the basic hourly rate of wages and benefits paid to a number of similarly employed workers in a given geography.

  • 33% | Other

12. Which of the following engagement would be most beneficial to engage you into the offshore wind industry?

  • 16% | 1-1 trainings

  • 50% | Invitations or sector-based events

  • 33% | Specialized training for 1 - 2 staff members

 

13. Surver Demographics?

  • 25% of participants (all DEIJ businesses) do not hold a supplier diversity set aside certificate – MWBE, SDVOB, DBE, SBE and others.

  • 42% of participants said that a lack of awareness of grant opportunities is a significant challenge for their organization.

  • 76% of participants stated that delayed invoice payments 30 days beyond the invoice due dates have put their businesses at risk.

  • 76% of participants do not have their own formal supplier diversity program