By ODSA

The State of Ohio’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program establishes a 15 percent set-aside procurement goal for state agencies, boards and commissions in awarding contracts to certified MBE businesses. The MBE program is designed to assist minority businesses in obtaining state government contracts for goods and services. The State of Ohio developed the program because it recognized the need to encourage, nurture and support the growth of minority businesses to foster their development and increase the number of qualified competitors in the marketplace.

MBE Eligibility

An MBE certified business must be owned and controlled by a U.S. citizen who is a resident of Ohio and a member of one or more of the following minority groups: Blacks or African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics or Latinos, and Asians. In addition, the following criteria must be met:

The business must

have been in business for at least one year prior to applying; and

be at least 51 percent minority-owned; and

The business owner must

possess requisite knowledge of the business and industry in which he or she is applying;

have day-to-day control over the business, exercising final authority over all aspects of daily operations, including but not limited to, operations, financial and business management, human resources and policy decisions;

demonstrate capability or expertise within the classifications identified (which can be found here) for a period of one year prior to certification; and

possess all licenses and permits required by law to perform the scope of work within classifications requested.

Department of Administrative Services > Divisions > Equal Opportunity > Business Certification > Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program (ohio.gov)