Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs Community & Economic Development Division “Your Success Is Our Reward” 1

 ▪Clarence Mann  ▪Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) 2

▪ Created in 1978 with passage of Executive Order No. 89 during the Wallace Administration ▪ Aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small & minority business concerns ▪ Preserve free competitive enterprise & a healthy state economy ▪ Provide information and assistance to citizens entering into commercial activity 3

 Awards state M/WBE certification to qualified minority- and women-owned businesses licensed to operate in the State of Alabama  Works closely with the Office of Small Business Advocacy and others to promote the interests of minority- & women-owned businesses  Provides information on procurement and contracting opportunities with state, city, county & federal agencies  Provides referrals and information for business development including workshops and seminars 4

 A minority, woman, or group of minorities or women independently own, operate, manage, and control the business entity. 5

 Ownership 51% or more  Control  Independence 6

 Who actually runs the day-to-day operations of the company?  Who has the authority to hire and fire personnel?  Who is ultimately responsible for business decisions? 7

 Marketing Tool  Access  Awareness  Acceptability 8

 On-line application  3-step process  Application  Supporting documentation  Site visit 9

Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs (ADECA) 401 Adams Avenue/P. O. Box 5690 Montgomery, AL Telephone: ; Fax: Clarence Mann Website: “Your Success Is Our Reward” 10