What is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?
An MBE is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a minority person or persons. A minority is defined as an individual who is African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, a woman, or a disabled individual. Additionally, the State also recognizes non-profit entities that are organized to promote the interests of the physically or mentally disabled. The Federal Government also includes Alaskan Natives, Pacific Islanders, Aleuts, and socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises in its definition. The latter must demonstrate a long-standing, chronic, and substantial social and economic disadvantage if they are not owned by an ethnic minority or a woman.
Both the MBE Program and the Federal DBE Program are usually considered the MBE Program and seek to achieve a percentage of MBE participation on State issued contracts. A MBE is a business that is at least 5l % owned and controlled by one or more minority persons: African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, a Woman or a Disabled person. Additionally, the State also recognizes non-profit firms that are organized to promote the interests of the physically or mentally disabled. The Federal Government DBE Program also includes Alaskan Natives, Pacific Islanders, Aleuts, and persons who are not minorities but who are socially and economically disadvantaged in its definition. The socially and economically disadvantaged owners must demonstrate longstanding, chronic and substantial disadvantage since the business is not owned by persons in the cited minority groups. Certification as a MBE provides greater exposure for work opportunities on State projects. The names of
A. Both the MBE Program and the Federal DBE Program are generally referred to as the MBE Program. Both Programs are goal based to achieve a percentage of MBE participation on State issued contracts. A MBE is a business that is at least 5l % owned and controlled by one or more minority persons. A minority is generally defined as an individual who is African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, a Woman or a Disabled person. Additionally, the State also recognizes non-profit firms that are organized to promote the interests of the physically or mentally disabled. The Federal Government DBE Program also includes Alaskan Natives, Pacific Islanders, Aleuts, and persons who are not minorities but who are socially and economically disadvantaged in its definition. The socially and economically disadvantaged owners must demonstrate longstanding, chronic and substantial disadvantage since the business is not owned by persons in the cited minority groups.
