DATE: Thursday, June 19, 1997               TAG: 9706190443

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MEREDITH COHN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   60 lines

NORDSTROM SEEKING DIVERSE WORK FORCE TO CONSTRUCT STORE ABOUT 80 FIRMS OWNED BY WOMEN, MINORITIES ATTEND SEMINAR

Before construction of Nordstrom's upscale apparel store in the MacArthur Center begins this fall, dozens of local businesses owned by women and minorities will have had face-to-face meetings with company representatives about playing a part in building it.

As part of Seattle-based Nordstrom's diversity program, the company aggressively advertised in the local media and met with minority groups to find a set of subcontractors generally used to getting invitations to bid only from the government.

About 80 businesses owned by women and minorities were expected to attend a daylong seminar Wednesday at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. A steady flow of business people pitched their services and heard about the bidding process from Nordstrom and the New York-based general contractor, HRH Construction Special Projects Division.

Nordstrom reports spending $385 million on women and minority contracts in 1996 and more than $1.4 billion since 1989 when the diversity program began. The percentage spent on women and minority-owned businesses varied with each project, according to Barbara Best, supplier diversity director for Nordstrom, but an average of $3 million was awarded for each - which is about 10 percent to 12 percent of construction costs.

``We like to come in early enough and get local businesses involved and create some economic development in the communities we serve,'' Best said. ``And we like those local businesses to represent the community so we invite in women- and minority-owned businesses.''

Several business people who attended the seminar said they were surprised by the company's advertising campaign for women and minorities. Some pointed to other companies that welcomed their business but said Nordstrom was the most aggressive about getting it.

Sharon E. Wallace, president of Chesapeake-based IQ Systems, said the seminar was encouraging.

``They have a real frontier approach that's unique and refreshing, and we appreciate the opportunity as a small business,'' said Wallace, whose company designs, manufactures, installs and provides training for personalized computer systems.

Once construction is underway, the company will begin seeking women and minority apparel suppliers, decorators and employees.

Some local businesses decided not to wait for another invitation.

Joan Copeland, owner of Art Atrium II in Portsmouth, came to discuss interior decorating. The gallery sells original art and gifts, but Copeland said she's been expanding the business and has worked with a restaurant and homeowners on decorations.

June Davis, owner of Hampton's Scents and Treasures, pitched her silk-screened T-shirts and alcohol-free perfumes to the retailer.

The store is expected to be completed by early 1999. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

TAMARA VONINSKI, The Virginian-Pilot

Nordstrom representatives meet Wednesday with Cindy Walters, right,

a business analyst with the Hampton Roads Minority Business

Development Center; and L.C. Johnson, left, and J.R. Toxey Jr.,

officers of BLC construction.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu