Testimonials
When asked, contractors report that obtaining Surety Bonding for their business is one of the most difficult hurdles for their company. There are many seminars and training programs on surety bonding but only one program has consistently helped contractors obtain bonds. Here is how Contractors in out Technical Assistance describe the help they receive :
Ed Weathersby
Ed Weathersby & Sons Plumbing Water & Sewers Inc.
The TA program helped my Company obtain a Performance Bond once we were Awarded a Job. We would have lost out on a large contract without the bond
Justice Cody
Jewel Enterprises LLC
The team provided us exceptional bonding service and support and in fact they allowed us to have a bonding capacity of 350,000 single and 500,000 aggregate bonding capacity. This is actually our only bonding capacity as well, which is actually allowed us to win a contract.
Brian Ingram
La Keys Construction
I secured for a project in Joliet that
required a bond. I did not have a bond
line but Inner-City helped me obtain
my company’s first bond. I completed
the project, the bonding aspect allowed
us to relax and do an amazing job.
Preston Payne
Simply E & C Construction
The TA program has been
instrumental in helping the company
obtain bonding up to $1 million,
enabling us to take on larger projects.
Roger Wiese
Cardinal State
The TA program has been critical to our
sucess. Matt and his team have been
able to get us approvedfor performance
bond for all of our bid purposes. They
helped us grow our bonding capacity
as a start up to be fully bonded to
contracts over $7 million. Without this
assistance, we would not be able to do
the work. It is critical for me to have a
legit resource that I can trust to guide us
through the bonding process.
Jonathan Rickel
Wantola Concrete & Associates LLC
I was able to qualify for $500k bond
capability. Which I didn’t have before.
Dr. Darrell Cain
GreenMileEV
Bonding support has been excellent
and has provided significant value to
our company. The program has been
a wonderful resource, and I greatly
appreciate all of the assistance we have
received. It has has helped us better
understand the bonding process and
position our company to pursue larger
opportunities. The economic benefit
has been substantial because bonding
assistance has directly supported our
ability to compete for and secure larger
projects.
Majlinda Agojci
AGGO Pro
We obtained Bonding through the
program that we did not have before.
The primary economic benefit was
improved access to projects that require
performance and payment bonds. This
directly expanded our eligible project
pool and allowed us to pursue highervalue contracts that would otherwise
be inaccessible. Additionally, the
guidance helped streamline the bonding
process, reducing administrative delays
and improving our ability to respond
competitively to bid opportunities.
Over time, this contributed to increased
revenue potential, stronger positioning
with clients requiring bonded work, and
enhanced credibility with both owners
and financial institutions.
Maurice Miller
Millers Heating and Cooling Consul- tants Inc
The assistance I received in this
program,
I was able to find a bonding company
that will work with me when I need
bonding for a project.
Our Estimating Program provides a practical hands-on introduction designed to help contractors understand estimating and bidding fundamentals. Participants learn how to break down project costs, improve accuracy, and confidently submit competitive bids.
NiGeria Payne
O’Wallace Landcaping Inc
I and another staff person attended
the Estimating class. We both have
used the tools and spreadsheet that
was share in this training to submit
bids. We have won 2 bids based on
the information learned from the
estimating class
Justice Cody
Jewel Enterprises LLC
The Illinois tollway program helped
me in completing bid submissions,
especially for one that we had actually
won working with them from the
beginning.
Maureen Kendziera
W.E.B. Production & Fabricating, Inc
The class was very informative,
showed us a few areas where we
were weak in our estimating and has
helped us to increase our bidding
accuracy
Brian Ingram
La Keys Construction
I completed the estimating class
approximately 2 years ago. I knew
estimating, the class enhanced my
estimating abilities and made estimat- ing much easier for La Keys. We were
able to estimate projects much faster
allowing us to bid on more projects.
Roger Wiese
Cardinal State
Yes, we received feedback on our
estimates. This helped us move
forward confidently with our
proposals and numbers. It was great
to have a 3rd party source review our
work to make sure we are a competent
contractor.
Keith Robinson
KSR Construction
The Estimating class was extremely
helpful; I read drawings better and have
a better understanding of how to make
the project profitable. I appreciate
Bruce and his team being available to
review bid packages with me before
I submit them to make sure I am not
overlooking anything
CJ Seestadt
KKC GerScot Inc.
We were able to obtain a couple of jobs
as subs for McDonagh demolition for
the IL Tollway and the class was very
helpful in putting together our bid.
Craig Morton
Quality Construction
I participated in the Estimating Class
and found it to be very helpful, I have
a much better understanding of how to
read architectural drawings and how to
realize a profit at the end of the project.
I appreciate Bruce’s team being available
when I have questions when bidding on
large, complicated projects.
Monik Chlad
NL Investments LLC
It helped me to properly bid the work,
which helped to ensure that my company
would make anticipated income on the
project.
Edward Lai
VisionBridge Consulting Group
The excellent instruction and insights
of our instructor, will greatly assist
our ability to provide a complete, fair
and profitable bid. I consider this
instruction worth tens of thousands of
dollars in keeping us out of trouble and
on the right track
We support businesses in obtaining and maintaining certifications such as MBE and DBE. Through hands-in guidance and applicationsupport, we simplify the process and position companies to access new contracting opportunities and grow their business.
Jose Lockett
Reasonable Heating - Cooling & Installation
CAN DO has been instrumental
with the company obtaining MBE
certification. This certification has
made the company eligible to bid as a
subcontractor on many government
projects. CAN DO has been
instrumental in keeping the company’s
certification status current, with
reminders for when it’s due to expire.
Christopher Williams
Millenium Solar Electric
CAN DO assisted Millennium Solar
Electric obtain its MBE certification
which was instrumental in obtaining
the City College – Olive Harvey College
contract to build its first solar farm.
City College would not award the
contract until Millennium produced its
MBE certification. The Olive Harvey
project has built the company’s capacity
(8 new hires) to provide solar farm
installations on upcoming projects.
through the bonding process.
Preston Payne
Simply E & C Construction
CAN DO has assisted the company
with M/DBE certifications along with
Approved Vendor and Equity Eligible
Contractor (EED) certifications.
These certifications are required for
eligibility to apply for the Equity
Eligible Future grant which the
company was awarded this year
Marlene Enriquez
Amero Building Restoration Inc.
Yes, Ms. Florence provided support
during our participation in the program.
Her guidance throughout the MBE
application process created a meaningful
economic benefit for our company. She
helped us understand the requirements,
organize our documentation, and
navigate each step of the certification
process, which saved us significant time
and prevented costly delays.
As a result of her assistance, we
successfully obtained our MBE
certification. This was essential because
our main contractor, ARCO Murray,
required the masonry subcontractor
to be certified in order to be awarded
the City of Chicago contract. With Ms.
Florence’s support, we were able to meet
that requirement, secure the contract,
and increase our company’s revenue.
In addition to the MBE certification,
we also achieved SBSP certification,
further strengthening our eligibility
for future contracting opportunities
and expanding our business growth
potential.
Maria Alvarado
RT Materials
During my time in the program, Phillip
Barreda has been a tremendous help,
particularly in guiding me through the
certifications process. His support and
knowledge made what can often be a
complex and time-consuming process
much more manageable and efficient.
As a direct result of his assistance,
our company was able to successfully
navigate and secure key certifications
that position us more competitively
in both public and private sector
opportunities. These certifications
have opened doors to new contracts,
increased our visibility with general
contractors and agencies, and
strengthened our ability to meet supplier
diversity requirements.
The economic benefit has been
significant, as it has directly
contributed to expanding our pipeline
of opportunities, increasing revenue
potential, and enhancing our credibility
in the marketplace and financial
institutions.
Justice Cody
Jewel Enterprises LLC
The program had helped us better
position and shrink in our application
for the CTA’s DBE certification they
provided serious economic benefit
because this allowed us to actually get
certified with them.
In our Access to Capitol Program we help businesses move beyond certification by connecting them to the funding and financial guidance needed to grow. Through lender relationships, grant support, and advisory services, participants gainaccess to capital and the tools to successfuly execute projects and scale their operations.
NiGeria Payne
O’Wallace Landcaping Inc
We were referred to a contact at Wintrust
Beverly Bank and was able to secure a
letter credit that was needed for our City of
Chicago contract.
Preston Payne
Simply E & C Construction
CAN DO assisted the company in
obtaining a DCEO grant for the
renovation of the community center
in Robbins Illinois making it energy
efficient. The $648,000 grant award is
for the pre-development of the project
which will enable the projected to get
started this summer.
Monik Chlad
NL Investments LLC
The help with company accounting and
finance helped me to confidently go
after projects that I might not approach
otherwise. It helped me to gain income
from those projects.
Antonio Bailey
TAMANSA
I received good training in accounting,
finance, access to capital and will be
using that training to acquire a line of
credit for a workforce training pilot
program now in activation.
Jose Lockett
Reasonable Heating - Cooling & Installation
CAN DO assisted with identifying
financing to help start up home repair
projects. Lender (5th Third Bank)
requested more collateral for line of
credit. The benefit is, I now have an
understanding of what is needed to
get the level of credit I would need for
bank financing ,which will enable the
projected to get started this summer.
Justice Cody
Jewel Enterprises LLC
The Illinois tollway program also
allowed us to have access to capital
partners in which we had spoke to and
helped us better understand our own
financial outlook within our company.
Christopher Williams
Millineum Solar Electric
CAN DO Corp. informed me of
DCEO pre-development grants in the
clean energy industry and assisted
Millennium Solar Electric with applying
for 2 Equity Energy Futures grants to
install solar farms in Dalton and Lansing
Illinois. CAN DO assisted with the merit
review and Millennium was awarded
$860,000 for the Dalton project and
$800,00 for the Lansing project and
was given a notice to proceed in the 1st
quarter of 2026.
Majlinda Agojci
AGGO Pro
Yes—accounting, financial management,
and access-to-capital guidance were
provided through advisory support,
financial review, and connections to
lending and funding resources.
The economic benefit to our company
was significant in several areas.
Access to capital resources and
introductions to financial institutions
improved our ability to secure working
capital and support project execution.
This enabled us to pursue larger
contracts, manage upfront project
costs more effectively, and maintain
operational stability during periods of
growth.
Montrell Brooks
Obsessed Energy
CAN DO has informed me about grant
opportunities with DCEO that could
assist with predevelopment of a solar
project in Illinois. CAN DO is current- ly assisting my firm with completing a
grant application for the needed to start
a community solar project on the City’s westside.