HANCOCK COUNTY — There’s no question that the Super Bowl is big business, but one NFL program is trying to bring smaller businesses into the mix – including three started in Hancock County.

The NFL Emerging Businesses program invites minority- and women-owned small businesses to provide goods and services through various procurement opportunities. The program has selected more than 400 businesses from around the state; each is grateful for the opportunity to cash in on the big game.

Local participants – Camacho Janitorial, Reign Transportation and Trans 1 Graphix – are finding mixed results in their levels of involvement.

While the program does give businesses the chance to fulfill contracts that can boost normal bottom lines, Reign Transportation owner Greg Simmons said the real opportunity for benefit is in the exposure.

“It is a very big opportunity,” he said. “We’re hoping it will open some doors.”

Reign Transportation is a busing and shuttle company owned by Simmons and wife Kimberly. They started the business in McCordsville in 2008. Their business is just a few years old and Simmons said they are still trying to grow it. The Emerging Business program has the potential to really boost that effort.

So far, Reign Transportation has been contracted to work with SP Gameday. Last week, it began shuttling visitors and organizers between various events downtown. Reign’s shuttles will also transport visitors at hotels on the east side of Indianapolis to downtown.

The SP Gameday contract is substantial, “in the six figures,” Simmons said, but it’s really about building the growing company’s resume.

“We haven’t had the chance to work with any major coporations in Indianapolis,” he said. “Eventually, that’s something we’d like to do.”

For Camacho Janitorial, the program is allowing the Greenfield business to reconnect with a major client – the Indianapolis International Airport.

“We’ll be helping them on the cleaning process of the civic area,” said owner Jesse Camacho. “And as people come in, we’ll be letting them know where to go.”

Camacho started the cleaning services and supplies company a decade ago, and moved to Greenfield in 2004.

Camacho said the company has done work with the airport before, but this is something new. From Feb. 1 to Feb. 7, Camacho Janitorial will staff cleaners around the clock to pick up after the tens of thousands of visitors who will pass through the airport that week.

Camacho’s participation will likely not grow his business in the long term, but he said he was still happy to be recognized as a successful Puerto Rican-owned business.

“In our field, there are only a few Spanish-owned businesses,” he said. “They like to make sure they cover everyone.”

Terrance Hooks was also pleased to be included, even though the Trans 1 Graphix’s participation has been minimal so far.

Hooks is the founder, president and CEO of the signage production and installation company specializing in large-format graphic installations in sporting venues. The Super Bowl seems right up Trans 1’s alley, but Hooks said so far they haven’t been awarded any contracts.

“We have not received any strong bites so far,” he said.

The company has done work for other major sporting events, like National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball all-star games, but never football. The competition, he said, is fierce.

“It’s always great to be able to hang your hat on something of that notoriety,” Hooks said. “The powers that be know about us, so if it happens… great.”

While there is still time to receive a last minute contract, the days are numbered. Hooks said the company has plenty of work without the Super Bowl but was glad to be accepted into the program either way.

“We would love to do it,” he said, “but it’s not going to make or break us.”
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