Veteran-Owned Builder Lamont Davis Backed by the SBA Completes a Construction Comeback Story
7(a) lending supported growth, while COVID-relief programs and pro-bono SBA technical assistance helped Anvil Steel get back into action.
Lamont Davis discovered a passion for ironworking upon returning to civilian life, having served in active duty during the Gulf War’s Operation Desert Storm.
His career began with Iron Workers Local 7 (International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers) and today has accumulated over 20 years of experience working on significant construction projects, including Boston’s “Big Dig.”
Davis started Anvil Steel Engineering Inc. in 2014, building it from a small operation into a prominent player in the general construction industry today. Shortly after forming the company, Lamont hired a second employee in 2016 – slowly building a great reputation that takes a kaizen approach, working towards continuous process improvement. By 2018, the company’s sales and profits surged – allowing Anvil Steel to grow to five full-time employees.
A full-service general contractor serving the New England region, the firm has been a subcontractor and prime contractor that has completed a variety of private sector and federal government projects. Anvil Steel is an SBA 8(a)-certified small business, a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business, and a small-disadvantaged enterprise with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Resilience resources from the SBA supported a major comeback
Davis utilized the SBA Express Loan program and the SBA Business Line of Credit to fund the initial growth spurts for his business.
Then the global pandemic disrupted the company’s momentum, putting all building and projects on hold for a while. The SBA’s covid-relief programs including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program helped Davis come back stronger. Two rounds of PPP helped keep employees on the payroll, preventing layoffs and paved the stage for a major comeback in America.
Now Anvil Steel has over 10 full-time employees, and a dedicated commercial space headquartered in Taunton, MA for project management and collaboration – where the firm led by Davis has been steadily growing and expanding operations throughout the region. Clients with successfully completed projects by Anvil Steel include Encore Casino, United States Army Installation in Ft Devens, United States Army Corp of Engineers, Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Brockton, GSA/Coast Guard Building in Boston, and the FBI.
8(a) certification opens doors to sole source and set-aside opportunities
After getting certified, Lamont wasn’t alone in taking his business to the next level with government contracts. Davis was supported with pro-bono SBA technical assistance providers that helped the firm successfully identify and win contract awards.
Davis utilized the Bid Match service, which helped set up Lamont to identify open opportunities and leverage Anvil Steel’s 8(a) certification status. As the economy recovered in 2021, Anvil Steel capitalized on new opportunities found through Bid Match, resulting in a rebound in sales and increased profits.
To learn about all the benefits of SBA’s certification programs and get started with the application process, visit the one-stop destination: certifications.sba.gov
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Empower to Grow
The Empower to Grow program, formerly known as 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program, provides eligible disadvantaged U.S. small businesses with free business courses, tailored training, and one-on-one consulting to support their growth, operations, hiring, regulatory compliance, and government contracting competitiveness. The Empower to Grow program uplifts businesses to be procurement ready for federal, state, and local government contracts.
Training Providers Serving Massachusetts
Currently there are two training providers that Massachusetts small business owners and entrepreneurs can utilize for coaching and training within the Empower to Grow program listed below here:
1: The Catalyst Center at Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council
2. Bidspeed
Please visit each provider, find out if you are eligible and register for their programs!
- Small businesses that are owned and controlled by economically and socially disadvantaged individuals
- Small businesses located in areas of high unemployment or low income;
- A small business owned by low-income individuals
- Certified 8(a) participant,
- HUBZone small business,
- Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business. [EDWOSB]
The Catalyst Center at Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC)
Serving the following SBA Regions:
- New England - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
- Atlantic – NY, NJ, PR, VI
- Southeast – AL, GA, KY, MS, NC, FL, SC, TN
Serving all SBA Regions.