Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Eligibility & Requirements

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State Program with Certification through Department of Administrative Services (DAS)

• A company that is owned and controlled by at least fifty-one percent (51%) of US citizens and residents of Ohio, belonging to one of the following ethnic groups: African-American, Native American, Hispanic, or Asian.
• The business must be a for-profit entity.
• Owner must have control over daily operations.
• The firm must have been in operation at least one year prior to applying for certification.
• Owner must have all licenses, permits and authorities required by law to perform the scope of work.

• A business owned and controlled by 51% minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged persons or group whose members are so deemed by the Small Business Association (SBA).
• Disadvantaged persons must be a U.S. citizen, or permanent resident alien.
• Business and its affiliates must not have more than $23.98 million in annual gross receipts in the past three (3) fiscal years.
• Only disadvantaged persons with a personal net worth less than $1.32 million will be considered.

Encouraging Diversity Growth & Equity (EDGE) Eligibility & Requirements
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State Program with Certification through Department of Administrative Services (DAS)

• A business that is a socially and economically disadvantaged and controlled by U.S. Citizens who are Ohio residents.
• Socially disadvantaged requirements: race, ethnic origin, gender, physical/mental disability or long-term residency in an isolated environment from mainstream Ohio society.
• Economically disadvantaged requirements: personal net worth of each owner cannot exceed $250,000 at the time of program entry.  Personal net worth of each owner cannot exceed $750,000 during participation.

• Business applicant must have at least ten percent (10%) of its employees on active service or are veterans.
• At least fifty-one percent (51%) of the business must be owned by veterans or persons on active service.
• For a corporation where fifty-one percent (51%0 of the business is not owned by veteran or persons on active service, then at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the board of directors must be on active service or veterans.
• The business must be certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, or a Veteran-Owned Small Business, and the owner(s) of the business meet the definition of veteran as defined in the Ohio Administrative Code.