The city of Phoenix is constructing its largest public infrastructure project ever. Small companies, like those that make up the bulk of the 3,200 businesses along its 13 miles of rail corridor, typically cannot afford to hire employees or outside consultants to address the challenges of such a long-term construction project. To help, the city is providing experienced consultants at no cost to the business owners. The city's program known as METRO Management Technical Assistance (MTA), provides help in the following areas:

• develop strategies for immediate or long-term business planning
• marketing, advertising and public relations strategies
• accounting projects or financial systems development
• financial packaging for loans or investors
• organizational development, process improvements and quality control
• human resources recruitment and retention
• public and private supplier development