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Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification

Eligibility for the SBE/MBE/WBE program is as follows:

To become eligible for the SBE/MBE/WBE Program, a Business firm must demonstrate that it has been in continuous operation in the category or the related category for which it is requesting certification for one year and that majority ownership has at least one (1) year of work experience relevant to the business certification category. For the Small Business Enterprise, its’ annual gross revenues or its’ total workforces are at or less than the amounts established by the Small Business Administration in the following link: 
http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf 

A business applying for SBE certification must establish that it has a physical presence located within the geographical limits of Cuyahoga County as registered in official documents. (Mailbox facilities or other similar arrangements do not constitute a physical presence). 

The applicant(s) must demonstrate operational and managerial control of the firm.

For the MBE/WBE, in addition to the above, the MBE/WBE businesses must be owned, operated and controlled by one or more Minority/Women who have at least 51% ownership; they also must have operational and managerial control, interest in capital, and earnings commensurate with the percentage of ownership; and the Business Enterprise must be located and doing business in the Cleveland Contracting Market which is Cuyahoga County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County, Medina County and Summit County. 

Want to do business with Cuyahoga County?

Become a Cuyahoga County certified SBE, MBE, and/or WBE:

• The business is not currently a certified SBE, MBE, and/or WBE with Cuyahoga County or any of the agency:
  • Complete the on-line application 
    • Use the standard certification application.
  • Download and complete the hard copy of the Diversity Application
    • Diversity Application
• Re-Certification - Your business is already a certified SBE, MBE, and/or WBE with Cuyahoga County:
  • Download and complete the hard copy of the Re-certification Application
    • Re-Certification Application
• The business is not currently certified with the County but is a certified MBE/WBE with a recognized certifying agency:
  • Quick Certify (not to be used for any re-certification)

Cuyahoga County is simplifying the certification process for Minority Owned and Women Owned businesses. No longer will you have to fill out separate paperwork for the County and the State to certify your business. With Cuyahoga County’s new initiative, certification is a one-stop-shop.  The “Quick Certify” application allows businesses to expedite their certification process and spend less time filling out paperwork and more time growing their business. This new application simplifies the process for minority and women owned businesses seeking to certify with Cuyahoga County and obtain government contracts.  Who Qualifies for “Quick Certify”? Under the reciprocal agreement, businesses certified into the State of Ohio’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program are eligible for expedited certification into the county’s MBE Program.  Click here to “Quick Certify” today.