Minority Owned Small Businesses:

The Georgia Department of Administrative Services manages the Georgia Business Certification Program, a streamlined process for minority owned, veteran owned, and woman-owned businesses to obtain special consideration for state government contracts. 
A minority owned business is defined by the following groups: 

• African American
• Asian American
• Native American
•  Pacific Islander
• Hispanic/Latino

Businesses interested in Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification must apply and be approved by certifying partners:

• Georgia Department of Transportation
• Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
• Greater Women’s Business Council
• National Veteran-Owned Business Association
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce

*The Georgia Department of Economic Development does not administer these certifications—but we’ll do everything we can to connect you with these resources to help. 

MBE certification could bring significant benefits to your minority owned business.

• MBEs can be eligible for special consideration in government contracts.
• Private and public sector procurement offices often prioritize work with vendors that have the Minority Business Enterprise designation.
• Local and national organizations offer networking opportunities, educational resources, individual coaching and more to MBE-certified companies.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development does not administer MBE certification — but we’ll do everything we can to connect you with the resources to help.

Here are some other ways to get started:

Pursue a dual certification (and reduce paperwork) with the state of Georgia

You can apply for certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), a federal program that opens up opportunities to minority owned businesses for projects in the transportation sector. As a DBE-certified business, you’ll have more opportunities to bid for contracts at the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and other state projects that have federal funding.  

GDOT will share your application with the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), — meaning you automatically apply for MBE certification when you apply for DBE certification. 

Explore (and complete!) the MBE certification process with the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council

The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council is Georgia’s leading organization for small business diversity. After you complete certification through the Council, you’ll get access to business development resources, business opportunity fairs, relationship building events and customized education for executives. GMSDC is your opportunity to connect with more executives who value the opportunity to work with a minority owned business.

Rely on these resources and build your business to thrive

Already registered as a minority business enterprise? You’re ready for the next step: one-on-one assistance and support from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in Atlanta, a federally supported organization that knows how to help a minority owned business grow.

The agency provides business assessments, access to capital, access to markets, consulting, coaching and more. To date, the MBDA Business Center-Atlanta has helped minority business enterprises in Georgia create more than 3,700 jobs and land $600 million in contracts and sales. The Atlanta chapter is part of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech.

(And if you’re not yet certified as a minority owned business, the agency can help you collect and organize the paperwork.)

Strengthen your Asian American business through the USPAACC

If you’re an Asian American business owner in Georgia, you can also draw on resources provided by the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation – Southeast Region. Like other MBE certification programs, the foundation will help you apply for MBE certification and expand your access to both government and corporate contracts.  

Grow your Hispanic business by joining the GHCC

Hispanic-owned businesses benefit in many ways by joining the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber promotes and supports the domestic and international economic development of Georgia’s Hispanic businesses and serves as a link between non-Hispanic entities and the Hispanic market. The GHCC also offers leadership training, small business development and advocacy.

Find Additional Resources with Grow Georgia From Georgia Power

Georgia Power has a resource page help minority owned business navigate funding, connections and energy savings support.