Partners

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Partners

WBEC ORV works to create and maintain partnerships of value to our region’s women business owners. Working to create a stronger business community, the following organizations are some of our strongest supporters. They offer valuable tools, services, and support – at little to no cost – to female entrepreneurs and other small business owners across the region and the nation.

Minority Business Development Division

The Ohio Department of Development’s Minority Business Development Division (MBDD) supports the growth and sustainability of minority-owned, small, and disadvantaged businesses in Ohio. Supporting these businesses means connecting them to business advisors and professionals at the Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC). MBDD also works with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to achieve the state’s 15 percent Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) set-aside requirement. The Division also offers financial assistance to help businesses grow.

Minority Business Assistance Centers

There are Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC) located across the state of Ohio, providing technical assistance, professional consultation, access to capital and assistance obtaining contract opportunities. Companies can meet with business counselors one-on-one at the regionally based centers.

Center Locations:

Akron

Athens

Canton

Cincinnati

Cleveland

Columbus

Dayton

Elyria

Mansfield

Piketon

Toledo

Youngstown

Warren

Minority Business Partnership

The Minority Business Partnership (MBP) is an economic development initiative which seeks to help grow the economy and strengthen area business by leveraging the Dayton region’s minority assets. MBP creates supply chain opportunities for local businesses by pairing minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses with large buying organizations within the region. The chamber believes this innovative regional approach to supplier diversity will not only enhance the economic vibrancy of the region but also strengthen the competitive advantage of all businesses. MBP accelerates the growth of minority business enterprises (MBEs) by advocating for increased minority business participation and facilitating strategic business partnerships.

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of over 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. Chapters in Cleveland, Columbus, & Kentucky.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

Ninety-four Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) – with over 300 local offices – form a nationwide network of dedicated procurement professionals working to help local businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. PTACs are the bridge between buyer and supplier, bringing to bear their knowledge of both government contracting and the capabilities of contractors to maximize fast, reliable service to our government with better quality and at lower costs. Offices Statewide in Ohio, Kentucky, & West Virginia.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for free face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training, on topics including business planning, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, technology development, international trade and much more. SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private sector partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. Offices Statewide in Ohio, Kentucky, & West Virginia.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Services include access to capital, entrepreneurial development, government contracting, and advocacy. District Offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Louisville, Charleston, Clarksburg (West Virginia).

Women’s Business Centers of Ohio

The Women’s Business Centers of Ohio are initiatives of the Economic & Community Development Institute and are the only SBA-funded Women’s Business Centers in the state. The WBC at each location can guide individuals at any stage of the business process. Through one-on-one counseling sessions with WBC staff and volunteers, you can get the direction and resources to meet your goals. Business advisors want to help you successfully start a business, or grow and expand your existing business — increasing revenue and creating jobs for the local economy. Offices in Columbus, Cleveland, & Cincinnati.

Women of Color Foundation

The Women of Color Foundation was founded in 2005 to foster networking and to provide personal and professional development, education and training to women and girls of all colors. Birthed from ongoing conversations with women of color across the country, this concept and forum encourages collaboration, networking, mentoring, sharing, development, and training all aimed at the advancement of women and girls of color.

Women for Economic Leadership & Development (WELD)

Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) develops and advances women’s leadership to strengthen the economic prosperity of the communities it serves. WELD provides women with specific tools to enhance their individual economic status, and builds programs, events and a community to support female leadership development and business growth. WELD was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 2003 as a local organization. It has now grown into a national organization with chapters that offer a robust suite of leadership programs and events. Chapters in Charleston, Southern Ohio, Cleveland & Columbus.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)

WIPP is a nonpartisan organization which educates and advocates on behalf of women-owned businesses. Since its inception in June of 2001, WIPP has reviewed, provided input, and taken specific positions on many economic issues and policies which affect the bottom line of our membership. The issues cover a broad range of current legislation and/or policies such as affordable health care, leveling the playing field for women-owned businesses, opening up federal procurement policies for women-owned businesses, the implementation of well-established federal law which seeks to encourage women in the marketplace, tax policies, energy, telecom, etc.

The Women President’s Organization

The Women Presidents’ Organization is the premier peer advisory organization connecting women who own multi-million-dollar companies. In monthly meetings across six continents, chapters of 20 women presidents from diverse industries invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. Local WPO chapters are coordinated by a professional facilitator and meet monthly to share business expertise and experience in a confidential setting.