Below are local, state, and federal available resources to support small and diverse businesses to attain their diverse business status with CWRU. Many cities, counties, and small business organizations may even sponsor any costs associated with certification. If you know of additional resources we should consider adding to this page, please email customercareteam-pds@case.edu, Attention: Procurement.
Ohio Department of Development
The Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Development Division and Minority Business Assistance Centers can help businesses become state-certified in four different programs. Click Here to Learn More
- The Minority Business Enterprise Program (MBE) program is designed to assist minority businesses in obtaining state government contracts for goods and services.
- The Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity Program (EDGE) program is designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged businesses in obtaining state government contracts in the following areas: construction, architecture, and engineering; professional services; goods and services; and information technology services.
- The state of Ohio’s Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) program is designed to assist women-owned businesses in obtaining contracts for goods and services, construction, architecture, engineering, information technology, and professional services.
- The state of Ohio's Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VFBE) Procurement program provides preference or bonus points to certified companies that compete to contract with the state to supply the goods or services it needs, including eligible construction services.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small businesses and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) certification allows small businesses access to federal contracts and other benefits based on specific programs. Click here to learn more.
Overview of the SBA's Federal Certifications Programs - Click Here
HUBZone program
The U.S. Small Business Administration HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. Click here to learn more.
To qualify for the HUBZone program, your business must:
- Be a small business according to SBA size standards
- Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization, or an Indian tribe
- Have its principal office located in a HUBZone*
- Have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone*
You can find the full qualification criteria in Title 13 Part 126 Subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert)
Veteran-owned small businesses can use this application to be certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to compete for federal contracts. Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) will have the opportunity to pursue sole-source and set-aside contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs under the VA's Vets First program. Certified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) will have the opportunity to compete for federal sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government. Click here to learn more. Certification eligibility:
- Have at least 51% veteran ownership
- Registered as a small business with SAM.gov
- Be a small business according to SBA size standards
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSB Program)
The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSB Program) is to help provide a level playing field for women business owners. The federal government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the WOSB Program. Click here to learn more.
To be eligible for the WOSB Federal Contract program, a business must:
- Be a small business according to SBA size standards
- Be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
- Have women manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions
To qualify as an EDWOSB within the program, a business must:
- Meet all the requirements of the WOSB Federal Contract program
- Be owned and controlled by one or more women, each with a personal net worth of less than $850,000
- Be owned and controlled by one or more women, each with $400,000 or less in adjusted gross income averaged over the previous three years
- Be owned and controlled by one or more women, each $6.5 million or less in personal assets
Northeast Ohio Resources
Click the county or city name to access the information from that region.
- Cuyahoga County - Become a Cuyahoga County certified SBE/MBE/WBE and/or CCBB/CCBEIP.
- Urban League of Greater Cleveland - The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Urban League of Greater Cleveland provides no-cost business counseling and assistance to individuals who are either starting or growing a business.
- Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center For Economic Development - The NEOHCED is committed to equitable asset building in Cleveland’s Latino, and other underserved communities, by providing economic and entrepreneurial technical assistance, training, and advocacy. It is also a host organization to the Small Business Development Centers program, the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the lead organization for the redevelopment and placemaking initiative, La Villa Hispana.
- Medina County Keys to Business Success - Medina County resources to help business owners achieve their goals.
- Summit Medina Small Business Alliance - Supports businesses in Summit, Portage, and Medina counties
- Lorain County Small Business Development Center - Provides a high-impact, front-line program designed to facilitate small business growth, job creation, and access to capital.