MBE Certified Companies

MBE Certified Companies

Minority-owned businesses are covered under the umbrella or license, referred to as MBE certificates. This documentation is significant as it automatically grants these businesses exceptional opportunities such as technology programs, induction to nationally prominent corporations, affordable consultation services, etc.

The list of MBE certified companies is long; a single database may contain more than ten thousand data sets. This information is available from the Directory of Certified firms, accessible to the public and other institutions through an online search from the government’s database. The directory not only contains a list of MBE certified companies but also various companies listed under different categories, including Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBE), Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) and Locally-based Business Enterprises (LBE). Aside from the names of individual companies, the list also gives brief background information such as the work history of the individual companies, detailed information of what they sell and their contact information.

Therefore if you are looking for a list of MBE certified companies near Westfield, you can easily do so by conducting a quick search from the City’s Online Directory of Certified firms. Thus, to find the list of MBE certified companies near Westfield, all you need to do is conduct the online lookup. The online platform is updated severally; thus, to confirm this, you can look at the date indicated in the “About” tab of the dataset.

MBE Certification

Minority Business Enterprise(MBE) certification is typical, recognition from the federal, state or local government that acknowledge businesses owned by minority groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, Asians or Hispanic Americans. Minority-owned business certifications are crucial in representing these minority groups in society as it gives them better chances of accessing opportunities.

MBE certifications are issued by relevant government bodies depending on the area of jurisdiction. The company or business needs to complete an application and go through the registration protocols with their respective governing body to initiate the process. Several state governments also offer annual webinars to assist potential applicants on how to use the system, file their applications, etc.

Minority-owned Business Certification Cost.

It is worth noting that different organizations under the government are mandated to integrate certification information from both the public and private sectors. For MBEs, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) commits to integrating and providing the relevant certifications. The organization also offers other certification programs such as NMSDC Growth Initiative. These programs are open to all NMSDC-certified firms. The NMSDC has a non-refundable fee that may vary depending on the local certifying office.

On the other hand, Women-owned Business Enterprises are validated by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. WBENC issue WBE certificates and have been instrumental in the growth of Women-Owned businesses.

WBENC certification costs include a non-refundable processing fee for new applicants and recertification based on their annual gross revenue reported on Federal Taxes. The cost is divided into five categories depending on the range a company’s revenue belongs to. The fees are as follow

• $350 for under $1 million
• $ 500 – $ 1M< $ 5M
• $750- $5M < $10M
• $1000- $10M < $50M
• $1250- $50M and above

WBENC Certification

As earlier stated, Women-Owned Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) sets the golden standard for women-owned businesses in the United States. A WBENC certification earns women-owned businesses a broad network of support and targeted business opportunities and ultimately better visibility in private and public sectors.

The WBENC also acts as the third-party certifier for Small Business Administration’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Programs. For issuing a WBENC Certification, companies or businesses often have to undergo a rigorous vetting process, proper documentation on the business review and an official site visit. This thorough process was attributed to the wide acceptance of women-owned business certifications by over 1000 corporations, several states, cities, and other prominent entities. To search for certified firms, perform a WBE certification lookup from your government’s business directory.

Minority/ Women-owned Business Enterprises

It is not unusual for states to treat MBEs and WBEs as single entities. For example, an MBE certification in California is treated similar to a WBE, thus merged into Minority /Women-owned Business Entity (MWBE). Regardless, the certification aims to provide developmental opportunities to both MBEs and WBEs. Most states in the U.S. offer state-level MWBE developmental programs and extend their abilities to reach a broader market.

The MWBE certification application process varies from state to state. Nevertheless, they are regulated by the federal statutes related to minority groups. Some of the standard MBE WBE requirements include;

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• 51% of the firm’s operations must be controlled by the minority or women(or 50% of the stock offerings)
• The business must be legally authorized to transact within the state
• The business must have been in operation for at least a year.
• The business must have one of the legally recognized structures, i.e. sole proprietorship, Limited Liability Company(LLC), Corporation, Limited Partnership(L.P.), General Partnership, and Limited liability Partnership. (LLP)
• The business must have the appropriate documentation
• Must be a for-profit business

These requirements differ from state to state; therefore, it is essential to determine your local eligibility terms. Some states like Indiana have precise terms. For you to qualify for a WBE or MBE certificate in Indiana, the firm must be 51% owned by the qualifying minorities, women or veterans. Additionally, you must demonstrate expertise in the field and control the enterprise’s operations.

List of Minority-owned Businesses

Several directories contain the list of certified businesses. The most reliable source is your local government directory which you can easily access online. It is also safe to check the NMSDC database through their online platform as they have access to information on all minority-owned businesses in an area.

For a business to appear in the NMSDC database, it must have completed the application and registration process required by the local state. You can do this conveniently by registering on your regional NMSDC’s website and submitting all the necessary documentation. After registration, members can continue to the NMSDC log in to access fundamental programs and connect with other corporate members signed into the platform.

Most states have a consolidated database for certified disadvantaged or diverse business enterprises (DBE). For example, if you want a list of minority-owned businesses in Indiana, you can quickly perform a lookup on the Indiana DBE directory. The Indiana Department of Administration provides for the DBE Directory, Division of Supplier Diversity (DSD) for Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises.

MBE Certification Illinois

The Cook County Procurement Code defines MBE certificates in Illinois. It covers a six-county region, including Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Cook and DuPage. The code defines a minority individual as one belonging to the following groups;

• African-Americans or Blacks(individuals originating from any Black racial group in Africa)
• Hispanic-Americans
• Mexican
• Puerto Ricans
• Cubans
• Caribbean
• Dominicans
• Central or Southern Americans
• Native Americans( American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts or Native Hawaiians)
• Asian Americans
• Other groups, e.g. Arab-Americans

Illinois requires all new applicants and re-applicants to complete the application online and pay a non-refundable fee of $250.

Acquiring an MBE Certification opens doors for access to government contacts. It also creates a sense of equality in providing a fairground for successful competition. Numerous programs are set aside to empower small disadvantaged businesses such as MBEs, thus significantly helping in their growth. Certified firms also have access to a vast network of NMSDC corporate members while increasing their visibility. The office of a Minority business enterprise helps businesses enjoy these benefits and also assists in the procurement processes.

Apply for minority-owned business certification

Now that we understand the benefits of applying for an MBE, it is time to make the step. Although MBE certification requirements may vary from state to state, the difference is often not dramatic. In a nutshell, the significant qualifications (familiar to most states) include;

• Business operation for profit
• 51% of the business must be owned by someone from minority groups by at least 25%.
• 51% of the stock must be owned by a minority group member(s)- for public businesses
• The minority group member must be in charge of the business’ daily operations or management.
• The majority shareowner must be a U.S. citizen.

Note that although the requirements may be similar, the application process varies. Other states have designated special offices to handle specific certifications. For example, application and registration for an Indiana MBE certification entail the following steps:

1. Registration of the company with the Indiana Secretary of State
2. Registering with the Procurement Division to obtain a Bidder Registration Number
3. Emailing or calling the relevant department to obtain information about the certification
4. Completing the application
5. Optionally scheduling a meeting for assistance
6. Site visit by the Division of Supplier Diversity to verify application information.

Contrary to other states, businesses do not have to pay a processing fee for registration and application.

Most states also have programs to help MBEs in obtaining state government contracts. For example, the state of Ohio MBE certification earns businesses access to procurement programs for goods and services. Therefore, it is essential to do some research on the requirements and all the benefits your business can take advantage of under the local government’s Minority-owned Business Enterprise statutes. The process is worth It regardless of your locale.

To confirm that your business is correctly-placed, conduct an MBE certification lookup as this is what prospective clients and business partners will be looking for first.