Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Definition and Certifications

To qualify for a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, a business must be at least 51 percent
owned, operated, and controlled by a certified supplier of an American ethnic minority group.  Minority
status constitutes anyone belonging to one of following ethnic groups:

• African-American
• Asian-Indian
• Asian-Pacific
• Hispanic
• Native American

 

For more information on certification please contact the NMSDC: www.nmsdc.org/locations/regional_councils

Businesses located in the state of Georgia may contact: www.gmsdc.org

                             Small Business Definition and Certification

A small business concern is "one that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in
its field of operation.  "The law also states that in determining what constitutes a small business, the definition
will vary from industry to industry to reflect industry differences accurately.  SBA's Small Business Size Regulations
implement the Small Business Act's mandate to SBA.  For more information on the certification process
please contact the SBA: www.sba.gov   

SBA Public Training Workshops and Seminars (Majority of the training is free. Some training events have minimal costs.)   http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/ga_atlanta/ga_marketing.html

                          Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Definition and Certification

Women Business Enterprise (WBE) is an independent business concern that is at least 51percent owned
and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; whose business
formation and principal place of business are in the US or its territories; and whose management and
daily operation is controlled by one or more of the women owners.  For more information on the certification
process please contact WBENC: www.wbenc.org

Businesses located in the state of Georgia may contact: www.gwbc.biz

Additional Resources

• Association for Service Disabled Veterans
• Black Enterprise
• Diversity Inc
• Diversity Information Resources
• Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Statewide Minority Business Enterprise Center
• Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center
• Hispanic Business
• Native American Business Alliance
• National Association of Women in Construction
• National Black MBA Association-Atlanta, GA Chapter
• National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
• National Women's Business Council
• National Women's Business Owners Corporation
• United States Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency
• United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce
• Women-Owned Small Business