NWO Minority Business Assistance Center

10/19/2026

The Business Landscape Is Changing. What Does That Mean for Minority-Owned Businesses?

As the business environment evolves, many business owners are asking important questions about MBE certification, staying competitive, and accessing new opportunities.

Join George Simms, President & CEO of OMSDC, and the leadership team for an open discussion about the future of minority business development and the Ohio Business Growth Alliance's (OhioBGA) new direction.

Learn how OMSDC is helping businesses compete, secure contracts, and create new growth opportunities.

Your voice matters! Join the conversation and help shape what comes next.

Can't attend? Register anyway to receive the recording and follow-up information.

Register now: https://buytickets.at/ohiominoritysupplierdevelop.../2469946

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Our MBE Town Hall is tomorrow.

Does your MBE certification still matter? How do you position your business to compete and grow? What is OMSDC doing to help create new opportunities? We'll answer those questions and more.

Tomorrow, OMSDC President & CEO George Simms and our leadership team will share where we stand, the challenges we're addressing, and our strategy for helping minority-owned businesses compete, win contracts, and grow.

Beyond the Headwinds: The Next Chapter for MBE Growth
Tuesday, October 20 | 12:30–1:30 PM ET
Virtual (MS Teams) | FREE

This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your perspective, and help shape the future of OMSDC and minority business growth in Ohio. Don't miss your chance to be part of the conversation.

Register now: https://buytickets.at/ohiominoritysupplierdevelopment/2469946

Know another MBE owner or business leader who should attend? Share this invitation today.

10/08/2026

The Economic Impact of Hispanic/Latino Ohioans! This report offers a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the immense financial, entrepreneurial, and demographic contributions made by Hispanic/Latino Ohioans.

Read the full Report here: https://ochla.ohio.gov/research/community-reports-demographics/The+Economic+Impact+of+Hispanic-Latino+Ohioans?fbclid=IwY2xjawU0gndleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMUs0SmVOeXdqNHdTMDdPMDlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeWcI7ZzkER5v9A5ChcAztCx8yvsLmdGsK-pnVea5nQwxDCiZsfblrPIK4Lvg_aem_AHjQFB3mxF63axQ_nVFGog

09/23/2026

Interested in joining our team? The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is seeking talented professionals to fill two open positions.

MBAC Certification Specialist - helps minority-, women-, veteran- and disadvantaged-owned businesses navigate certification processes and connect with contracting and procurement opportunities.

This position provides hands-on guidance to clients, assists with applications and documentation, and builds awareness of resources that can help businesses grow.

Click https://bit.ly/3WQeeqE to view the complete job description and apply.

If you—or someone in your network—is looking for an opportunity to support local businesses and contribute to a thriving regional economy, we invite you to learn more.

09/11/2026

08/20/2026

Looking for a way to increase your business visibility and connect with local leaders, professionals, and community members?

The African American Leadership Council (AALC) is offering small-business advertising opportunities for its I Invest in Me Leadership Conference. Purchased ads will be featured in front of conference attendees and will also remain on the AALC website year-round.

Advertising Rates:

Full-Page Ad: $150
Full-Page Nonprofit Rate: $100
Half-Page Ad: $75
Half-Page Nonprofit Rate: $50

This is a great opportunity for local businesses and organizations to showcase their products, services, and brand while supporting an important community event.

Deadline to submit your ad and payment: Friday, October 30

For questions or to reserve your spot, email:
[email protected]

Learn more at unitedwaytoledo.org/aalc

08/19/2026

Goldman Sachs is currently accepting applications for its One Million Black Women: Black in Business program!

This FREE 12-week business education program is designed to provide solopreneurs with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to grow and strengthen their businesses. Participants will receive:

- Business education developed in partnership with NYU Stern School of Business
- Personalized guidance from a strategic advisor
- Training in financial planning, marketing, pricing, operations, accessing capital, and more

An all-expenses-paid in-person experience at Goldman Sachs headquarters in New York

Eligibility includes:

- A revenue-generating business operating for at least one year
- At least $25,000 in revenue during the past 12 months
- Operating as a solopreneur with no other full-time or full-time-equivalent employees

Applications for the Spring 2027 cohort close Friday, August 28 at 11:59 PM ET.

The MBAC encourages eligible entrepreneurs to explore this opportunity and continue investing in the growth and long-term success of their businesses.

Learn more and apply through the Goldman Sachs Black in Business program page.

https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-transformation/one-million-black-women/black-in-business

08/07/2026

Are you interested in growing your business, pursuing government contracts, or learning more about funding opportunities?

Join us for a free, in-person Small Business Certification Workshop presented in collaboration with ASSETS Toledo, ODOT, the Ohio APEX Accelerator at The University of Toledo, and the Minority Business Assistance Center at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Business owners will learn how to:

• Apply for ODOT Small Business Enterprise Certification
• Register in the System for Award Management for federal contracting opportunities
• Obtain State of MBE, WBE, EDGE, VFBE certifications
• Access state low-interest funding programs and valuable business resources to help your business grow

This workshop is also an opportunity to meet local business resource partners, receive guidance, ask questions, and make connections that can support the growth of your business.

Date: August 26, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Assets Toledo - Toledo McAuley Room - 1st Floor, 2200 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo, OH 43604

Space is limited. Reserve your seat today.

Registration: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/about/events/northwest-ohio-doing-business-with-government-agencies

07/30/2026

GENERAL CONTRACTORS: $150K–$200K historic rehab project in Toledo. Proposals due August 7.

The Greater Toledo Realtist Association Foundation is seeking licensed, insured general contractors to rehab a historic single-family home at 1003 Prospect Ave. in the Englewood Historic District.

What you should know:

Estimated construction value: $150,000–$200,000

Historic rehabilitation experience preferred

Funded in part through the City of Toledo's HOME Program; federal compliance requirements apply. Minority-owned and women-owned businesses strongly encouraged to submit

Proposal deadline: Friday, August 7

Never bid a federally funded project before? That's exactly the kind of thing your MBAC can help with. We'll walk you through the RFP, help you put together a competitive proposal, and connect you with State of Ohio certification (MBE, WBE, EDGE) if you're not certified yet.

With the deadline a week out, reach out today if you're interested:

Lenora McIntyre, Business Advisor
Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce | Minority Business Assistance Center
[email protected]

Know a contractor who should see this? Tag them below or share this post.

Send a message to learn more

07/24/2026

Seats are still available for the Northwest Ohio Small Business Certification 101 workshop!

Join us on Tuesday, July 28, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Toledo Lucas County Main Library to learn about small-business certifications, available resources, and opportunities that can help your business grow.

You’ll have the chance to connect directly with representatives from ODOT, the NWO Minority Business Assistance Center, APEX Accelerator at The University of Toledo, and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

This free, in-person event is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in becoming certification-ready and learning what resources are available to support their business.

Register today by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nw-ohio-small-business-certification-101-tickets-1990005485978?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/26/2026

The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council’s ConnectingOHIO 2026 event will bring together certified minority businesses, corporate procurement leaders, supplier diversity professionals, public-sector partners, and business support organizations from across Ohio.

This two-day event is designed to help businesses build relationships, explore contracting opportunities, participate in business matchmaking, and gain practical insight on how to grow through supplier diversity.

If your business is looking to expand its network, connect with buyers, and position itself for future opportunities, this is an event to have on your radar.

The ConnectingOHIO's Business Expo is built to create more than booth traffic. It is built to create new leads, relationships, and business opportunity.

On July 21, exhibitors will have three focused hours to showcase their capabilities inside the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This year, OMSDC is also recruiting businesses and professionals from across Greater Cincinnati to walk the expo floor, bringing new potential customers, partners, and referral sources beyond our typical network.

Twenty-six booths have already been sold, and only a few remain. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to:

• Meet corporate, public-sector, and minority business leaders
• Connect with new visitors from the Greater Cincinnati business community
• Increase visibility for their products, services, and capabilities
• Build relationships that can continue after the event

The setting makes this year’s expo even more distinctive. Exhibitors and attendees will connect across multiple areas of one of Cincinnati’s most meaningful and memorable venues.

Reserve your booth or register to attend:
https://zurl.co/9ARMA

Early-bird pricing ends July 2. Registration closes July 9.