COLUMBUS — Minority-owned business representatives met with state officials at the Ohio Department of Transportation recently to discuss how minority-owned businesses can develop and grow their businesses, navigate state contract opportunities and access capital.
The state exceeded its goal of 15 percent by purchasing 23.63 percent of all goods and services from certified minority business enterprise businesses for the second year in a row. The most recent report shows nearly $298 million was spent with minority-owned businesses across the state, up from $228.5 million in 2015.
“We are excited about the increased spending with Ohio minority-owned businesses,” said Jeffrey L. Johnson, chief of the Minority Development Division at the Ohio Development Services Agency. “Our momentum is strong and we will continue to help develop and grow Ohio small, minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses.”
“Under the leadership of Governor John Kasich, Ohio remains committed to expanding its base of suppliers by encouraging qualified minority businesses to work with the state to supply the goods and services we need to operate,” said Gregory L. Williams, state equal employment opportunity coordinator and deputy director of the Equal Opportunity Division at the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, which certifies businesses into the MBE program. “As entrepreneurs utilize this program to grow their businesses, we are continually looking at ways to enhance the program to ensure that it better supports business development.”
Minority-owned businesses are encouraged to utilize additional resources at the Ohio Development Services Agency. From improving manufacturing processes to exporting goods and services into international markets, Ohio minority business owners and entrepreneurs can work with their local minority business assistance center (MBAC) to access resources in every stage of business development.
MBACs are strategically placed across the state to help business owners with certification and assistance needed to start or grow a business. For a list of centers, click here.
“We are incredibly proud to support the growth and development of local minority-owned companies by offering free capacity building services, like access to capital, certification and marketing plan development,” said Averi Frost, director of the Minority Business Assistance Center at the Central Ohio Minority Business Association.
