The Sherwin-Williams Foundation and The Urban League of Greater Cleveland Partner to Foster Economic Inclusion for Minority-Owned Construction Companies

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The Sherwin-Williams Foundation has teamed up with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland to launch the Construction Accelerator Program (CAP), aimed at boosting minority-owned businesses in Northeast Ohio's construction sector. The initiative will provide eligible businesses with access to capital, mentorship, and training, enhancing their capabilities for growth. Sherwin-Williams is committing a minimum of $600 million to its global headquarters project, aligning with its economic inclusion objectives. This partnership seeks to break down barriers and create sustainable opportunities in the construction industry.

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• Sherwin-Williams is investing a minimum of $600 million in its Building Our Future project, promoting economic inclusion.
• The Construction Accelerator Program (CAP) aims to enhance growth potential for minority-owned construction businesses.
• Eligible businesses will receive mentorship, education, and access to working capital loans through the Urban League.

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• None.

CLEVELAND, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Foundation has partnered with The Urban League of Greater Cleveland (ULGC) to develop and launch an innovative new Construction Accelerator Program (CAP) with the goal of driving long-term growth and success for Northeast Ohio minority-owned businesses.  

"The Sherwin-Williams Foundation is pleased to partner with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland to positively impact the greater Cleveland community and support minority-owned business growth through fostering economic inclusion for minority-owned construction companies," said John G. Morikis, President of the Foundation, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW). "The CAP aligns well with our Company's commitment to create jobs and to positively impact the broader Cleveland and Northeast Ohio community, and we are excited to be on the ground floor of an instrumental program designed to accelerate the growth of minority-owned construction businesses for many years to come."

Over the next three years, Sherwin-Williams, a global leader in the paint and coatings industry, will make a significant financial commitment by investing a minimum of $600 million in its Building Our Future (BOF) global headquarters and R&D Center project, which includes meeting or exceeding robust economic inclusion requirements.

Through the pilot program, officially known as Construction Accelerator Program Powered by Sherwin-Williams, the Urban League will provide eligible minority-owned businesses with access to capital, mentorship, education on the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) process, construction management best practices and an opportunity to build capacity. The program will also focus on intense technical and human capital enhancement, enabling participating businesses to qualify for a working capital loan through UBIZ Venture Capital operated through the Urban League's Entrepreneurship Center.

"The Urban League is extremely excited to partner with The Sherwin-Williams Foundation on the Construction Accelerator Program because it directly supports our goals of economic inclusion and opens opportunities and access that will help reduce historical barriers that minority-owned businesses experience in the construction industry and across the board," said Marsha Mockabee, ULGC President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Construction Accelerator Program is targeting MBE-certified businesses in the construction industry who are in the growth or expansion phase, in business for at least three years, and meet a pre-determined minimum annual revenue threshold, in addition to other criteria.

Participating business owners will move through ULGC's UBIZ Accelerator Curriculum, helping to transform their business infrastructure and operations for success and sustainable growth. Upon completion of the program curriculum, graduates of the CAP program will be eligible to apply for the Access to Capital and Credit Enhancement Plan, a working capital loan through UBIZ Venture Capital or its investment partners.

"Cleveland needs programs that ensure opportunities for employment of its residents, as well as growth opportunities for its minority and female-owned enterprises," commented Tyson Mitchell, recently named Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) for the City of Cleveland. "We commend The Sherwin-Williams Foundation and ULGC for joining forces to establish this new program. Their joint initiative is strongly aligned with the City and the OEO's mission, and we're encouraged by the workforce pipeline the CAP creates for projects today and into the future."

The CAP is designed to incorporate strategies that will strengthen, accelerate and position businesses for next-level engagement in construction projects.

For CAP registration information, prospective applicants should email UBIZVentures@ulcleveland.org.

Details about the Building Our Future project including the Company's commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity as well as its community engagement process and the Our Community video profiles can be found on the Building Our Future website.

For more information about the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, visit ulcleveland.org. 

ABOUT THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams^®, Valspar^®, HGTV HOME^® by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy^®, Krylon^®, Minwax^®, Thompson's^® WaterSeal^®, Cabot^® and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams^® branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and facilities, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Young
Vice President, Global Corporate Communications
Direct: 216.515.8849
corporatemedia@sherwin.com

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SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company

FAQ

What is the Construction Accelerator Program launched by Sherwin-Williams?

The Construction Accelerator Program (CAP) is an initiative by the Sherwin-Williams Foundation and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland aimed at supporting minority-owned construction businesses through mentorship and access to capital.

How much is Sherwin-Williams investing in its Building Our Future project?

Sherwin-Williams is committing a minimum of $600 million to its Building Our Future project, which includes the headquarters and R&D Center.

What are the goals of the partnership between Sherwin-Williams and the Urban League?

The partnership aims to foster economic inclusion, support minority-owned businesses, and create sustainable growth opportunities in the construction industry.

What benefits will minority-owned businesses gain from the CAP program?

Participating businesses will gain access to capital, mentorship, training on construction management, and the chance to qualify for working capital loans.

When was the Construction Accelerator Program announced?

The Construction Accelerator Program was announced on May 18, 2022.