Minority & Women Business Enterprise Certification
The Governor’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Development was created by Article 15-A of the Executive Law in July 1988, and in 1992, Article 4-A of the Economic Development Law incorporated the office into the State Department of Economic Development.
The Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development is responsible for implementing a uniform, statewide certification program. The program was designed to assist the growth and development of businesses owned and controlled by women and minority groups. An important aspect of the program is to increase the participation of those businesses in the procurement activities throughout New York State.
Certification also allows a business the advantage of accessing a variety of loan and bonding programs as well as programs that provide technical assistance.
Eligibility
Any on-going independent business owned, operated and controlled by minority group members and/or women is eligible. The ownership interest must be real, substantial, continuing and must have the authority to independently control the business decisions of the enterprise. Generally, the business should have been in operation for at least 1 (one) year.
Definition of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
A business enterprise in which at least 51% (fifty-one) percent is owned by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are:
- Of African-American descent
- Of Hispanic descent
- Of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent
- Of Native American or Alaskan Native descent
Definition Of Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
A business enterprise in which at least 51% (fifty-one) is owned by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women.
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