APAC Success Story: Jackson's Construction

Rickey Jackson started Jackson’s Construction in 2006.  Jackson’s Construction is a minority-owned general contracting business located in Jonesboro, Arkansas that specializes in concrete. Jackson became aware of the services offered through Wanda May at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Shortly after learning about APAC from May, Jackson contacted APAC counselor Mary Love in 2016 and decided to become a client.  He said he has worked closely with Love to learn how to read and understand solicitations.  He feels that APAC's staff has been very beneficial to his business and readily available to answer his questions showing a dedication to ensuring client success.

Jackson’s Construction has an 8(a) certification.  The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses.  They are also a recent graduate of SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative.  This initiative provides free entrepreneurship education and training for executives of small, poised-for-growth companies that are potential job creators.  As a certified highway construction contractor, Jackson's Construction receives business consulting from Arkansas Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Contractor Association (ADBECA).

In January, Love forwarded a solicitation to Jackson for maintenance at Greers Ferry Lake in northern Arkansas.  In March, the company was awarded that contract -- its first federal government contract. 

The contract is a three-year contract in the amount of just over $600,000.  Love is credited with walking Jackson through the Greers Ferry solicitation page by page and line by line as well as following up with the Contracting Officer Point of Contact to clarify some ambiguities in the solicitation.

"One important way of assistance that I would like to note is APAC’s assistance in linking the gap between the different organizations to help minority businesses," Jackson said.

Connect with our APAC counselors at 501-671-2390 to learn how you can expand your business into new areas.