Voters in 2007 approved in $550 million bonding for improvements designed to help the city upgrade its public infrastructure.

The city's Economic Development Department is launching "Bridge to 550" as a way to increase participation among small, minority and woman-owned businesses in the contracting opportunities. Bridge to 550 will consist of television programs, a monthly newsletter and tradeshow.

While a number of the contracts will be for general contracting firms, city officials say there will also be a need in some cases for advertising and marketing agencies, accounting firms and other professional service firms to serve as subcontractors.

Three women will head up the Bridge to 550 outreach initiative: Anita Uribe Martin, the assistant director of the economic development department; Melissa Aguillon, economic development manager for the small business division; and Senior Economic Development Specialist Sylvia Pomales-Starrett.