Minority Business Assistance Center Hosts Selected

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Development announced its selection of hosts to join the Minority Business Assistance Center network program for the July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, grant period. 

The hosts will serve the needs of Ohio’s minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, as well as other disadvantaged businesses, for their region.

MBACs provide services including technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital and assistance obtaining contracts. 

Here’s the list of MBAC program partners:

Tier 1 MBACs

MBACs that assist businesses in the ideation and start-up phase: 

• Akron Region – North End Community Improvement Collaborative;
• Akron Region – Stark County Minority Business Association; 
• Youngstown Region – Valley Economic Development Partners.

Tier 2 MBACs

Traditional MBACs that work with existing and growth stage businesses to assist with certifications, procurement and access to capital:

• Akron Region – Akron Urban League;
• Cincinnati Region – Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce;
• Cleveland Region – Urban League of Greater Cleveland;
• Columbus Region – Columbus Urban League;
• Dayton Region – Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce;
• Toledo Region – Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce;
• Youngstown Region – Youngstown Business Incubator.

“Our Minority Business Assistance Center partners are critical to the growth and sustainability of small businesses across Ohio,” said Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development director. “We are excited for our new partners as they take the helm to connect entrepreneurs and emerging business owners to the resources, opportunities and information they need to be successful.”

Each year regional MBACs work to certify hundreds of minority businesses, approve millions of dollars in business contracts and provide thousands of hours of counseling services to clients.

In 2022, MBACs across the state added nearly 3,100 new clients and provided more than 7,600 counseling hours to Ohio’s disadvantaged business owners. More than $9.34 million in loans were distributed to more than 100 minority- and women-owned businesses.

For more information about the MBAC network, click HERE.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.