How Senate Bill 105 Helps Minority, Women-Owned Businesses

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio— Stephanie Gilchrist has her work cut out for her as the offices of the Minority Business Assistance Center in Youngstown are flooded with applications from women-led and minority-owned businesses.

Applications for certification with the state’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) programs have been coming in at least five per week “if not more,” she says.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 105 into law, streamlining the application process for those certifications. Now, startups will need just one certification to work in the state, even if they’re serving counties and cities outside their jurisdiction.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.