The Minnesota Department of Transportation is inviting public comment on the proposed statewide goals for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation in highway and transit contracts for federal fiscal years 2019-2021.

A meeting in Rochester will be held at 9 a.m. to noon Monday at the MnDOT District 6 headquarters, 2900 48th St. NW.

The DBE program is an affirmative action program intended to level the playing field by providing contracting opportunities for small businesses that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

MnDOT is required by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration to set statewide goals for disadvantaged business participation in federally-funded projects over the next three years. The proposed FHWA goal is 12.23 percent and the proposed FTA goal is 9.12 percent on all U.S. Department of Transportation-assisted contracts.

A sign language interpreter will be available at the event. For other reasonable accommodation requests, please notify Janet Miller, Office of Affirmative Action, atjanet.rae.miller@state.mn.us or 651-366-4720.