Westchester County accepted bids from Laura Li Industries, LLC totaling $5.91 million dollars, awarding the West Harrison based company three County projects. Designated as a Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), the construction company is spearheaded by Laura Etre, and the designation allows for eligibility for developmental benefits. More than 300 MWBE’s registered with Westchester County in 2020.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “We want to empower women entrepreneurs to participate in County projects. We’ve laid out a goals for registered MWBE’s in order for them to be successful, including purchasing plans in construction, professional and non-professional services and goods. We hope a large contract like this will hopefully encourage other businesses like Laura Li Industries, LLC to aspire to work with Westchester County and know the goals we set up for these businesses to succeed can be accomplished.”
Laura Li Industries, LLC formed in 2015 and will be responsible for resurfacing and improving Theodore Fremd Avenue, from 300 feet east of North Avenue to Purchase Street in the City of Rye. Work begins September 15, with a target date of completion on May 15, 2022.
Resurfacing work will also be done along Willets Avenue from King Street to Putnam Avenue in the Village of Port Chester. Work is scheduled to begin October 1, with a target date of completion in May 2022.
The company will also work to improve Westchester County parkland at the Blue Mountain Reservation addressing utilities for the trail lodge including sewer, water and electrical work. Construction crews will also replace a wood bridge and pave pathways that extend into the Town of Cortland and the City of Peekskill. Work is scheduled to begin November 21, with a scheduled date of completion in December 2022.
Managing Member of Laura Li Industries Laura Etre said: “Women are underrepresented in the construction industry. With my background in public administration and attention to detail coupled with my familiarity of Westchester, I know our company can make these projects shine. We love working to improve the County in which we live.”
Department of Public Works and Transportation Commissioner Hugh Greechan said: “Laura Li Industries, LLC has proven itself to be a valuable partner in addressing the County’s infrastructure needs. We look forward to continuing that partnership and creating new partnerships with other MWBE’s on these critical projects.”
Director of Minority and Women-owned Business Development Martha Lopez said: “It is the goal of Westchester County to use its best efforts to encourage, promote and increase participation of business enterprises owned and controlled by persons of color or women in contracts and projects funded by all departments of the County and to develop a policy to efficiently monitor such participation.”
Laura Li Industries, LLC has worked with Westchester County before on various school fields, rehabbing the Elm Street Bridge in the Village of Tuckahoe and site work on the south concourse of the Westchester County Airport.
Etre says she’s currently working on obtaining her commercial driver’s license so she can help haul some of the supplies and equipment for these upcoming projects.
