Daily News
December 21, 2015
City, State of Ohio Sign Reciprocal Agreement
Agreement allows state certified MBE’s into DEI Program
CINCINNATI – The City’s Department of Economic Inclusion (DEI) today announced it has signed an agreement with the State of Ohio that will allow minority businesses certified by the state entry into DEI’s Business Enterprise Program.
The move is an extension of the City’s broader effort to increase business opportunities for minority-owned companies in Cincinnati.
“This agreement brings additional resources to the City, increasing our minority database and widening opportunities that I’m sure will come the way of many of the small businesses that call the Queen City home,” said Mayor John Cranley.
City Manager Harry Black took the opportunity to highlight the overall work being done by one of the City’s newest departments.
“We are excited by the work being done by our Department of Economic Inclusion. That team continues to reach out to various certifying agencies, working with them to find minority businesses ready, willing and able to do business with the City of Cincinnati,” Mr. Black added.
Under this new reciprocal agreement, minority businesses that are located in Hamilton County and certified by the State of Ohio's Minority Business Enterprise Program are eligible for an expedited certification process with the City of Cincinnati. Similarly, those businesses that are certified with the City may be eligible for an expedited certification process with the state.
In short: this deal makes it easier for local minority-owned businesses to do work for all levels of government by reducing logistical obstacles that can sometimes stand in the way of growing a small business.
“Ohio and its local communities are strong when we have healthy home-grown businesses actively participating in the state's thriving economy,” said Gregory L. Williams, deputy director of the Equal Opportunity Division of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, which certifies businesses into the state’s Minority Business Enterprise Program.
“Ohio Governor John Kasich has made supporting these businesses a top priority in his administration, notably including expanding the state's base of suppliers by identifying more qualified minority-owned businesses to supply the goods and services it needs to operate,” Mr. Williams added. “This partnership with the City of Cincinnati continues that effort.”
So far, DEI has certified more than 90 minority businesses found through the City of Cincinnati’s Small Business database. DEI expects an additional 25-30 businesses will be certified through the reciprocal agreement with the State of Ohio's Minority Business Enterprise Program.
“This partnership is a win/win for the City and the state,” added DEI Director Thomas Corey. “There are minority businesses here in Cincinnati just wanting that one opportunity. Now, with this agreement they’ll have two avenues.”
DEI’s Business Enterprise Program has six (6) certification types to help meet the needs of our diverse community:
- MBE – Minority Business Enterprise
- WBE – Women-owned Business Enterprise
- MWBE – Minority Women-owned Business Enterprise
- SBE – Small Business Enterprise
- SLBE – Small Local Business Enterprise
- ELBE – Emerging Local Business Enterprise
Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, the City of Cincinnati will also begin adding inclusion goals to contracts of $50,000 or more. This will provide additional subcontracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses certified with the City.
For more information on the Department of Economic Inclusion, please visit http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/inclusion/. For more specific information about certifications and to register with the City of Cincinnati, click the “Registration and Certification” tab in the Quick Links section.
For more information about the state’s MBE Program, visit mbe.ohio.gov or call 614-466-8380.