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Ohio makes history, hits MBE annual goal for the first time

For the first time since the State of Ohio established its Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program, the state has achieved its annual goal of spending 15 percent of its contracting dollars with minority-owned businesses.

During Fiscal Year 2015, Ohio purchased $228.5 million in goods and services from MBEs - equivalent to 19.41 percent of the state's spending.

"More than 30 years ago, as a member of the Ohio Senate, I joined in voting for a more inclusive approach for those seeking to do business with state government," said Ohio Governor John Kasich. "Casting that vote, I never envisioned it would take three decades to achieve it. For far too long, Ohio has failed to live up to expectations that were set into law. By making this a priority, we are now able to help more small businesses from all backgrounds take part in our state’s economic success. That is reason to celebrate."

Ohio's 2015 MBE contracting figures follow a record-setting year in 2014, when $165 million worth of state contracts went to MBEs.

Not only is the state spending more money with MBEs, Ohio is contracting with a larger pool of MBE-certified firms. In 2015, Ohio purchased goods and services from 325 MBEs, an increase from 282 MBEs in 2014.