Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GOVERNOR, BARBASH ANNOUNCE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR GREATER CLEVELAND MINORITY CONTRACTORS AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Please contact the Minority Business Enterprise Division at (614) 466-5700 with questions about the Minority Contractors and Business Assistance Program. ### Media contacts: Robert Grevey at (614) 466-6619
March 30, 2009
COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced that the Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Enterprise Division is accepting proposals from non-profit organizations to establish a greater Cleveland Minority Contractors and Business Assistance Program (MCBAP) office.
The Cleveland MCBAP office will facilitate training, strategic management, and networking, ensuring that the Northeast Ohio minority business community has access to the assistance it needs to be productive and profitable.
“The establishment, growth, and development of minority businesses throughout Ohio strengthens our commitment to entrepreneurial opportunity for all Ohioans and nurtures innovation in our communities,” Strickland said. “Support for minority-owned businesses will spur new ideas, businesses, and shared prosperity for the people of Ohio.”
The Minority Business Enterprise Division will be awarding one grant totaling $135,000 over the next year to provide assistance to minority businesses located in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Richland counties. The grant funding will provide for activities related to networking with all levels of government, aiding in the economic growth and development of minority businesses, and increasing awareness of local, state and federal business assistance resources.
"This request is seeking the expertise and business acumen of an organization that will partner with our Department to support greater Cleveland's minority-owned businesses by providing the tools and support they need to grow and thrive," said Barbash. "We look forward to establishing a long-time partnership with a first-rate organization that is passionate about the success of minority businesses and entrepreneurs in greater Cleveland."
The Minority Business Enterprise Division provides oversight and staff assistance to Minority Contractors and Business Assistance Program offices. The program works closely with the Ohio Department of Development to market the products and services of the Minority Business Enterprise Division to its constituency and the community. This business assistance program provides entrepreneurs with counseling as well as management and technical services, including accounting, marketing, business plan development, certification, loan and bond packaging, capital development, construction contracting, and contract procurement.
The Minority Business Enterprise Division’s loan and bond programs, which provide access to capital and bonding for firms that may not qualify for traditional lending or bonding, as well as management, technical, and procurement assistance services, are available at eight regional Minority Contractors Business Assistance Centers around Ohio.
Existing regional Minority Contractors and Business Assistance Program cities provide statewide delivery of services from offices in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Portsmouth, Toledo, and Youngstown.
The Request for Proposal opens today and responses will be accepted through May 8, 2009 with award announcements expected in May. To view the request for proposal, visit http://www.development.ohio.gov/dmba/
The Minority Business Enterprise Division works to create a business environment in Ohio that assists in the growth and development of minority-owned businesses, female-owned, and small businesses to help them obtain financing, bonding, and contracts in the public and private sector.
Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.
the Communications and Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609