Diversity Certifications

Want to do business with Cuyahoga County?

Become a Cuyahoga County certified SBE/MBE/WBE and/or CCBB/CCBEIP

To become eligible for the SBE/MBE/WBE Program, a Business firm must demonstrate that it has been in continuous operation in the category or the related category for which it is requesting certification for one year and that majority ownership has at least one (1) year of work experience relevant to the business certification category. For the Small Business Enterprise, its’ annual gross revenues or its’ total workforces are at or less than the amounts established by the Small Business Administration.

A business applying for SBE certification must establish that it has a physical presence located within the geographical limits of Cuyahoga County as registered in official documents. (Mailbox facilities or other similar arrangements do not constitute a physical presence).

The applicant(s) must demonstrate operational and managerial control of the firm.

For the MBE/WBE, in addition to the above, the MBE/WBE businesses must be owned, operated and controlled by one or more Minority/Women who have at least 51% ownership; they also must have operational and managerial control, interest in capital, and earnings commensurate with the percentage of ownership; and the Business Enterprise must be located and doing business in the Cleveland Contracting Market which is Cuyahoga County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County and Medina County.

Download the application that best matches your business status for SBE/MBE/WBE

Diversity Application
The business is not currently a certified SBE, MBE, and/or WBE with Cuyahoga County.

Quick Certify Application (not to be used for any re-certification)
Under the reciprocal agreement, only businesses certified into the State of Ohio’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program are eligible for expedited certification into the county’s MBE Program.

Re-Certification Application
Your business is already a certified SBE, MBE, and/or WBE with Cuyahoga County.

Cuyahoga County Based Business (CCBB) & Cuyahoga County Business Economic Inclusion (CCBEIP) Program

CCBB

A business applying for certification as a Cuyahoga County Based Business must meet the following standards:

a) The business must demonstrate that its principal place of business has been located in Cuyahoga County for at least three (3) years as registered in official documents filed with the Secretary of State of Ohio or the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office. If one party to a joint venture has its principal place of business in Cuyahoga County, the joint venture shall be considered as having its principal place of business in Cuyahoga County; or

b) The business must be a business organization with a "significant economic presence” in Cuyahoga County. For purpose of this program,

"Significant economic presence" means a business organization that has for at least three years
i. Had a sales office, division, sales outlet or manufacturing facility in Cuyahoga County; and
ii. Pays required taxes to Cuyahoga County; and
iii. Has an annual gross payroll in Cuyahoga County of at least $100,000.00.

two (2) percent, of the lowest bid submitted by a non-Cuyahoga County Based Business bidder shall be given the option to match the lowest bid.

CCBEIP

Cuyahoga County pursuant to Ordinance No. 02016-0007 dated April 26, 2016 approved the Cuyahoga County Business Economic Inclusion Program (CCBEIP).

Unless otherwise prohibited by state, federal or local law, or condition of said funding, when the County has solicited bids and is determining the lowest price or the lowest evaluated price is submitted by a non-Inclusive Business, an Inclusive Business whose bid is within two (2) percent of the lowest bid submitted by a non-Inclusive Business shall be given the option to match the lowest bid.

A business applying for certification must meet one of the following standards:

a) The business must demonstrate that they have used a Minority Business Enterprise and/or a Female Business Enterprise in at least three (3) projects within the past two years.

b) The business must demonstrate that it hires and employed a diverse workforce based on payroll records within the past two years.

Download the CCBB/CCBEIP Application.