YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Local businesses will have an opportunity to explore contracts with government agencies, municipalities and other organizations during the second annual Connector event Sept. 23.
The Minority Business Assistance Center at the YBI will host the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.
Connector brings buyers and suppliers together to help business owners better understand procurement, the process organizations use to purchase products and services.
“Procurement is a big word for a lot of people, but really it just means doing business with an organization,” said Tanisha Wheeler, regional director of the Minority Business Assistance Center. “It’s understanding what your business needs to have aligned in order to fulfill a contract or obtain a contract.”
The event will include resource tables, a panel discussion and a breakout session featuring organizations with active bids. Business owners will be able to ask representatives about available contracts and the requirements needed to compete for them, including insurance coverage, certifications and operating standards.
Participating organizations will include Youngstown State University, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Development, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., Western Reserve Transit Authority and YSU’s APEX Accelerator.
Organizations without current bids will discuss how they regularly purchase goods and services and what business owners should know before seeking those opportunities.
“If you have a product or a service, you should be in the room,” Wheeler said. “People always think procurement means excavating, transportation or the big things we associate with construction. But it could be videography or photography. It’s any organization that has a product or service and is looking to do business with another organization.”
Connector is open to businesses of all sizes and industries. Wheeler said owners can benefit even if they are not yet prepared to pursue a contract.
“We want business owners in the room, even if it’s just for educational purposes,” she said.
This year’s program will also feature two entrepreneurs who have experience securing contracts and entering larger markets. Sherry Bova, owner of Mother Trucker and Bova Excavating, and Tanisha Rabido of Cleveland-based Food with Purpose will discuss procurement from the perspective of a business owner.
Food with Purpose has worked with retailers including Kroger, Dave’s Supermarket and Meijer. Wheeler said the panelists will offer a practical view of what businesses face when pursuing contracts and working with larger organizations.
“These are women who are building their businesses from the ground up, and they have obtained major contracts,” Wheeler said. “They’ll be able to share what that looks like from a realistic perspective.”
About 100 people attended the inaugural Connector event in 2025, representing an estimated 20 to 30 businesses. Wheeler said the ability to speak directly with organizational representatives was among the event’s most valuable features.
“Putting the business owner and the organization representative face to face and being able to answer those questions in real time was priceless,” she said.
Several participants also learned that ODOT maintains its own certification for businesses seeking procurement opportunities through the agency. Wheeler said some businesses subsequently obtained the certification and began working with ODOT.
The Minority Business Assistance Center helps eligible companies pursue state certifications, including Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity and Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise.
“The certifications are the state’s stamp on your business saying that you are certified to do business with the state of Ohio,” Wheeler said. Other organizations, including ODOT, may require certifications specific to their procurement programs.
Businesses can register for the Connector HERE.