COLUMBUS, March 10, 2023: The Ohio Department of Development is seeking Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC) Requests for Proposals (RFP) to help strengthen the minority business community, support job creation, and grow Ohio’s economy.
The Ohio Department of Development partners with community-based nonprofit organizations, public economic development organizations, and educational institutions with strong experience in business and economic development to host regional MBACs.
MBACs serve the needs of Ohio’s, minority and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses by providing services including technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital and assistance obtaining contracts. There are currently 13 MBACs in Ohio.
Da’Shika Streets, owner of Street Craftery, Project Sew United, and VineWorks Marketing utilized the Akron MBAC to assist her with technical support for her businesses and to secure contract opportunities.
Da’Shika has since opened a storefront for her craft business called Street Craftery, which was showcased at the Seeds for Growth event held in Akron in partnership with Huntington Bank in September 2022. She was also a highlighted business at the Regional Listening Tour hosted by the Ohio Minority Business Development Division and Akron MBAC in October 2022, where she shared her success story and the value of MBAC services.
To learn more about the existing services available through the MBAC statewide network, visit MBAC.Development.Ohio.Gov.
The Pre-Bid Conference will be held Friday, March 17, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the State Library of Ohio- Lucas Room, 274 E. First Avenue, Columbus. The Pre-bid Conference can be viewed via TEAMS for those not able to attend in-person.
Organizations interested in applying for the grant will have the chance to hear about the MBAC program team, an overview of the RFP, eligibility requirements, and the RFP process.
More information about loans and other capital assistance programs can be found online at Minority.Ohio.Gov. Minority-business owners can start the loan application process at: https://development.force.com/ODSA/s/minority-business-loan-form?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery