Futhermore, they claim, the state has not been vigilant in reviewing the performance of general contractors who are required to hire minority subcontractors for some of their work.

Schiavone was the prime contractor for the $179 million job and Jopel was used as a minority subcontractor.

His main thrust was that Jopel was "a front" and "a hoax" used by Schiavone officials to siphon funds intended for minority subcontractors.

Companies desiring to certify as a "minority business enterprise" or a "minority subcontractor" may do so by submitting an application to the GDOT.

Ms. Wylde's organization has created a program for minority subcontractors who want to become builder-developers.

Janice Dixon, an official of a minority subcontractor, who is the watch committee's affirmative action officer on the site, recalled one case.

In those cases, Government agencies will be permitted to give minority businesses, or contractors that employ minority subcontractors, a bidding bonus or other form of credit.

The Supreme Court in January struck down a Richmond, Va., ordinance that set aside 30 percent of public construction work for minority subcontractors.

Reed T. Kennedy, the owner of Kenco, said the incident would also lead white-owned contractors operating in the area to work harder to find minority subcontractors there.

Some general contractors decided that because of the Richmond decision, they do not need to seek out minority subcontractors or minority joint venture partners on their projects.