Minority-owned businesses continue to grow in Ohio

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Last week, minority-owned businesses in the Toledo area met with state officials and the local minority business assistance center to discuss how minority-owned businesses can obtain business opportunities with the state.

For the first time ever, the state recently announced it exceeded its goal of 15 percent by purchasing 19 percent of all goods and services from certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) businesses. The most recent report shows $228.5 million was spent with minority-owned businesses across the state, up from $165 million in 2014.

“We are extremely excited about this year’s success and we intend to continue the momentum moving forward,” said Kenyatta Chandler, Interim Chief of the Minority Business Development Division at the Ohio Development Services Agency. “By encouraging minority-owned businesses to do work with the state we ultimately grow a more diverse workforce.”

“Participation in the MBE program has been a key component supporting the growth and expansion of my business,” said Milton McIntyre, President of Peak Electric, Inc. “At Peak, we have been able to provide goods and services to a cross-section of state agencies.” Every state agency has created a spending plan for 2016 and will continue to include minority-owned businesses for contract opportunities. From IT services to medical service providers to food services, the state needs it all and is looking for minority-owned businesses to provide these goods and services.

“The key to the success of the MBE program is having a strong and diverse pool of talented, MBE-certified businesses that are ready, willing and able to help state agencies meet their program needs,” said Greg Williams, Deputy Director and State EEO Coordinator, Department of Administrative Services.

Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC) are strategically placed across the state to help business owners with certification and any other assistance needed to start or grow a business. For a list of centers, click here.

“We hope the continued focus and growth of the MBE program will allow the MBAC to help even more businesses in Northwest Ohio do business with state agencies and access the capital and bonds needed to grow and expand their business,” said Portia Ash, Director of the Toledo Minority Business Assistance Center.

Ohio Development Services Agency
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2015/09/web1_OhioDevelopmentServicesAgency.jpgOhio Development Services Agency

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