Ohio Department of Development Selects MBAC Partners as Part of the Minority Business Assistance Center Network Program

Sarah Wickham
Ohio Department of Development

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The Ohio Department of Development today announced its selection of hosts to join the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) Network Program for the July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, grant period. They will serve the needs of Ohio’s minority-, women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged businesses for their region.

MBACs provide services including technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital and assistance obtaining contracts. There are currently 7 MBAC hosts in Ohio.

“Our Minority Business Assistance Center partners are critical to the growth and sustainability of small businesses across Ohio,” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik. “We are excited for our new partners as they take the helm to connect entrepreneurs and emerging business owners to the resources, opportunities, and information they need to be successful.”

Each year regional MBACs work to certify hundreds of minority businesses, approve millions of dollars in business contracts, and provide thousands of hours of counseling services to clients.

In 2022, MBACs across the state added nearly 3,100 new clients and provided more than 7,600 counseling hours to Ohio’s minority, women, veteran, and other disadvantaged business owners. More than $9.34 million in loans were dispersed to more than 100 minority- and women-owned businesses.

List of MBAC Program partners for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025:

Tier 1 MBACs: These are MBACs that assist businesses in the ideation and start-up phase.

Akron Region – North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Akron Region – Stark County Minority Business Association
Youngstown Region – Valley Economic Development Partners

Tier 2 MBACs: These are traditional MBACs that work with existing and growth stage businesses to assist with certifications, procurement, and access to capital.

Akron Region – Akron Urban League
Cincinnati Region – Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce
Cleveland Region – Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Columbus Region – Columbus Urban League
Dayton Region – Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce|
Toledo Region – Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
Youngstown Region – Youngstown Business Incubator

Businesses can reach out to a Minority Business Assistance Center near them for help with assistance with business planning, access to capital, and state business certifications. For more information about the MBAC network, visit MBAC.Development.Ohio.Gov.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.