An industry effort to create 150 women-owned businesses in transportation is nearly halfway to its goal, as the 150 Business Challenge recently signed up its 70th participant, the group said today.

The group offers financing and operational and business support for women who have an interest in a career path within the trucking industry, helping them to launch their own small businesses as owner-operators and fleet owners. Launched in 2017, the effort is a collaboration between Southaven, Miss.-based trucking equipment and training provider Expediter Services LLC (ES) and the Women in Trucking Association.

Participants have access to competitive truck financing, a range of new equipment choices, and fuel discounts. ES also provides participants with business support, including a maintenance program, operational expertise, and back-office services and business planning assistance.

Once they begin work, participants have their choice of operating their trucks within expedited, truckload, or less than truckload (LTL), through a collaboration with additional corporate partners Medina, Ohio-based Panther Premium Logistics and Greeneville, Tenn.-based Forward Air Corp. ES says the effort is paying off, as small businesses started through the 150 Business Challenge are currently generating combined revenue over $1.5 million per month.

"We believed that the 150 Business Challenge could help to make a difference in our industry, and it's been amazing to witness what has taken place in the past year," Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association, said in a release. "The 150 Business Challenge has become a true source of empowerment and opportunity for women in the trucking industry. One of the obstacles that Women In Trucking is working to address is to get women involved as business owners in the trucking industry, and the 150 Business Challenge offers the ideal launching platform for those women who have the drive and desire to establish or expand their own transportation operations."