Business Development
The Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, which governs Clinton National Airport, has long advocated for small businesses and has set goals to ensure it remains a leader in the region’s economic development.
The Commission achieves these goals by implementing two key concepts:
- Creating an environment that welcomes new ideas, builds partnerships and cultivates innovation from our partners.
- Leveling the playing field in accessing business opportunities for all who have the capability and desire to participate.
This program focuses on offering opportunities that may not be given otherwise to disadvantaged businesses. The Commission strives to ensure that companies who do business with and on our behalf understand the importance of the program.
Our Goals
The Commission is committed to increasing opportunities for companies by including participation goals in all contractual relationships. Our current goals are as follows:
- Federally Funded Projects: 12% participation goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for the 2024-2026 cycle.
- Non-Car Rental: 23% participation goal for Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE) for the 2025-2027 cycle.
- Car Rental: 2% participation goal for Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE) for the 2025-2027 cycle.
Business Development Program
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
The DBE Program applies to our federally funded construction projects. The program is funded by the United States Department of Transportation and administered by the Arkansas Department of Transportation per Code of Federal Regulation 49, Part 26. It seeks to eliminate discrimination in awarding federally assisted contracts and helping develop businesses that can compete in the marketplace outside of the DBE program.
Only certified DBE companies may participate in this program.
To qualify for this program, the business owner(s) must meet the Federal standards for a socially and economically disadvantaged person (Section A, Paragraph 1) and own at least 51% of the company. The owner’s personal net worth cannot exceed $2,047,000. Furthermore, the company must meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards or annual gross income requirement as based on NAICS Code. The company must be independent of any other company.
Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
The ACDBE Program applies to the food & beverages, retail and advertising sold inside the airport as well as any other goods and services sold to the traveling public, following the Code of Federal Regulation 49, Part 23 for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Only certified ACDBE/DBE companies may participate in this program.
To qualify for this program, the business owner(s) must meet the Federal standards for a socially and economically disadvantaged person (Section A, Paragraph 1) and own at least 51% of the company. The owner’s personal net worth cannot exceed $2,047,000. Furthermore, the company must meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards or annual gross income requirement as based on NAICS Code. The company must be independent of any other company.