Certification Opens Doors, Can Pay Off For Minority And Women-Owned Businesses

Business owners are always looking for new revenue streams to grow their businesses. One way is selling your products or services to the government. Even if you think the government would not buy what you have to offer, think again. If you are a minority or women-owned business, the opportunities are tremendous.
Governor Cuomo has been working for many years on expanding the New York State Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification program. When the program is mentioned, most business owners say, “I don’t want to sell to the government.” I am here to tell you that leveraging an MWBE certification goes beyond government. Any organization receiving state monies will have some MWBE certification goal attached to the contract, which is great news for qualified business owners.
Some benefits of becoming New York State MWBE certified include: 

• Goal of 30% vendor utilizing of certified firms (state agencies and authorities)
• Prime contractors use certified sub-contractors
• You are at the top of the list – DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CONTRACT
• Certification is FREE

If this sounds like an opportunity for you, check out the certification requirements below:

• At least 51% independently owned, operated and controlled by minority members and/or women
• Each minority or woman owner upon whom certification is based, cannot have a personal net worth exceeding $3.5 Million after allowable deductions
• Employs no more than 300 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees
• Must be in business for at least one year

The program is a great opportunity to catapult your business to the next level. On top of that, you don’t have to do the application alone. The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) offers free application assistance. For more information about certification, visit http://esd.ny.gov/MWBE/Qualifications.html, or if you want to learn more about the certification process, please join WEDC at its December 16^th workshop in Beacon. To register, visit www.wedcbiz.org. Having the tools and support you need to grow your business in 2020 will get your year off to an excellent start!
Cynthia Marsh-Croll is Program Director Mid-Hudson for the Women’s Enterprise Development Center  (WEDC) and can be reached at 845-363-6432 or cmarsh-croll@wedcbiz.org for MWBE certification assistance. She is also an active member of the executive committee of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Alliance.