MWBE
The Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise program (MWBE) was established by Article 15-A of New York State Executive Law in 1988 to increase the opportunity largely for small businesses owned by minorities and women to participate in the awarding of state contracts. The law requires all State agencies and Public Authorities to establish guidelines and goals for MWBE participation, with certain exceptions, in the bidding and awarding of certain state contracts and grants.
The program is administered by Empire State Development within the Division of MWBE Development. The Division’s mission is to work with both state agencies and individual firms to increase participation in the program. It also maintains one of the largest MWBE databases in the country with over 7,000 certified firms.
The Division conducts education, outreach and activities to assist agencies in ways to help increase participation by removing barriers that might hinder program participation by MWBE’s, and also by assisting them in awarding a fair share of funding in state contracts to certified firms.
There are a number of programs to assist MWBE firms, starting with how to become a certified MWBE and get placed in the State database to access opportunities.
Other assistance includes:
- Technical Assistance
- Financial Resource Assistance
- Contract Opportunities
- Business Development
In addition to regular state contract and grant funding, there are also a number of programs available exclusively for, or targeted to MWBE firms in the areas of financing, bonding, education, training, and technical assistance.
For additional information call the Division at 800-782-8369.