Disadvantaged business enterprises in 30 states and Puerto Rico received $12 million from the Federal Highway Administration's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services program that will be used to help companies run by minorities and women obtain work.

"Giving these small businesses the assistance they need to compete for federal highway contracts creates jobs and ultimately helps taxpayers by reducing project costs," LaHood said.

LaHood also announced $6 million in grants to support transportation-related job training in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The grants from FHWA's On the Job Training/Supportive Services program will fund apprenticeships and training opportunities for underrepresented or disadvantaged people pursuing careers in transportation, engineering, or construction.

"Ensuring transportation workers are properly trained is an important part of economic recovery," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "These grants will help us build a skilled workforce to keep our nation's highway system the best in the world."

A list of DBE grant recipients is available at tinyurl.com/DBE-grants. A list of job-training grant recipients is available at tinyurl.com/OJT-grants.