Contractor Readiness Initiative

The Program

This is a contractor education series covering financing, bonding, procurement, and business growth — running through May 2027. Enroll now.

Understanding Business Financing for Contractors
Preparing Financial Documents for Loan Applications
Loan Packaging & Capital Readiness
Accessing Working Capital for Construction Projects
Building the Capital Stack for Construction Projects
Personal Finance for Business Owners
Financial Management for Contractors
Introduction to Contractor Bonding
Increasing Bonding Capacity
Understanding Procurement Processes
Compliance & Contract Requirements
Bid Readiness & Proposal Development
Navigating the Plan Room & Accessing Opportunities
Matchmaker: Contractors + Lenders + Developers (Networking Event #1)
Accessing Government Contracts
Estimating & Costing for Competitive Bids
Loan & Bond Application Workshop
Meet Prime Contractors (Networking Event #2)
Financing Projects You’ve Won
Contract Management & Risk Mitigation
Project Management Fundamentals
Scaling Your Construction Business
Building a Pipeline of Work
Contractor Showcase & Partner Engagement (Networking Event #3)
Advanced Financial Strategy
Strategic Growth & Expansion
Tax Strategy & Financial Planning
Partnerships & Joint Ventures
Program Closeout & Growth Strategy

Enroll Now

Registration Begins: May 01, 2026
Classes: May 20, 2026 - May 22, 2027
Virtual and In-Person Options

Spots are Limited! Enroll Now!

Register for Classes

Evon J. Smith

Evon J. Smith, a real estate developer with more than 20 years of experience, joined OneWest as President and CEO on January 2, 2018.

Smith is the founding president of Sustainable Community Resources, a real estate development firm with offices in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina that specializes in rural and urban real estate development in low-to-moderate resource communities.

She is a partner on the $100 million, mixed-use South Elm Street Redevelopment Project (now Union Square) in Greensboro, and she led redevelopment of the historic Goler Heights neighborhood in downtown Winston-Salem. That project included construction of more than 20,000 square feet of commercial and retail space and more than 200 new housing units.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., and completed executive leadership programs at Duke and Harvard universities. She also served 10 years on the North Carolina State Association of Community Development Corporations board, the North Carolina Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Board, and the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership Real Estate Committee.

As President & CEO, Smith will direct implementation of OneWest’s five-year strategic plan, which includes commercial and mixed-use development efforts beginning at the 18th Street and West Broadway corridor. Continuing the work that the OneWest board and volunteers have already begun, Smith will build relationships with government, nonprofit, business and community organizations, and act as an advocate for responsible investments, financial commitments and policies that impact west Louisville.

(502) 384-0490

Contractor Readiness Initiative

The Program

Enroll Now

The Program

Enroll Now

Spots are Limited! Enroll Now!

Register for Classes

(502) 907-5147

4303 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211

Contact Us