The State of Ohio’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program is designed to assist minority businesses in obtaining state government contracts through a set aside procurement program for goods and services. The State of Ohio developed the program because it is committed to making all state contracts, services, benefits and opportunities available without discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry. MBE establishes a 15 percent goal for state agencies, boards and commissions in awarding contracts to certified MBE businesses. In order to be certified as a MBE, the business must be in business at least one year prior to applying for certification and owner(s) must be members of one or more of the following groups: Blacks, American Indians, Hispanics and Asians. Link: