Ronda Barber

The Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC), a program of the Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC), is hosting an important virtual event for women entrepreneurs across Ohio.

💼 Funding HER Future

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Women business owners often face unique challenges when accessing capital. This session is designed to provide actionable insights, connect attendees to current opportunities, and share funding strategies from trusted sources.

Featured Speaker:

Shaundretta Boykins, from the State of Ohio, will discuss loan programs available to support women- and minority-owned businesses.

Additional Highlights:

• Panel discussion with financial professionals and funders
• Guidance on grants, loans, crowdfunding, and business credit
• OWCC’s downloadable Funding Resource Guide – April 2025
• Free 15-minute funding consults available for OWCC members

Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

This event is part of OWCC’s ongoing Financial Wellness Series designed to empower and equip women entrepreneurs with tools to build thriving businesses.

The March 26 edition of the OhioMBE Bid Board is now available and it’s filled with contracting opportunities, educational resources, and community highlights to help your business grow!

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📢 Featured Contracting Opportunities:
🏗️ Glycol PLC System Upgrades – Bids due April 2
🏗️ LCK Ramp 3 Reconstruction Phase 4 at Rickenbacker – Bids due April 3
🏗️ Columbus Police Substation Hilltop – Bids due March 31
🏗️ Franklin County Property Room & Jail Records Renovations – Bids due April 3
🏗️ Prosecutor Title Insurance Services – Bids due April 10
🏗️ Deputy Uniforms & Accessories – Bids due April 8
🏗️ Professional Engineering Services – Bids due April 24
🏗️ Brentnell Pointe & Lofts at 40 Long – Details available on the Bid Board

📌 View the complete Bid Board here: https://bit.ly/4241Rc1

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🏗️ Upcoming OBDC Construction Academy Class

How to Prepare Your Quote: Winning the Job
📆 Thursday, April 10, 2025
💻 Online with Daniel Odion, PE, PMP

🔎 Learn how to:
✅ Build competitive quotes
✅ Avoid common mistakes
✅ Communicate your value
✅ Estimate costs accurately

💰 FREE for OBDC Members | $10 for Non-members
🎟️ Register at OHBDC.org

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👷‍♀️ Women in Construction Industry Lunch – Recap

On March 20, OBDC and Ruscilli Construction hosted a dynamic Women in Construction Industry Lunch.

✨ Highlights:
• Doing business with Ruscilli
• Insight from Monica Womack, Chief of Diversity for the State of Ohio
• Navigating the prequalification process

💬 “We’re committed to making sure women are at the table and ready to compete.”
– Ronda Watson Barber, OBDC Founder & CEO

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📰 Must-Reads This Week on OhioMBE.com

✔️ Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Launches Statewide Survey
✔️ Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Across Ohio
✔️ Who Is Fighting for Black Business Inclusion at Columbus City Schools?
✔️ Recap: OhioMBE Procurement Fair & Business Success Summit
✔️ Columbus City Schools Continues to Fail LEDE Vendors

📢 Please share this issue with fellow business owners and encourage them to subscribe!

Best,
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE

#OhioMBE #BidBoard #ContractingOpportunities #BlackBusiness #WomenInConstruction #SupportSmallBusiness #OBDC #BuildSmart #GrowWithOhioMBE

Woda Construction, Inc. is seeking qualified subcontractors and Section 3 individuals/businesses for two exciting affordable housing projects in Columbus, Ohio:

🏢 Brentnell Pointe – 50-unit affordable housing complex
📍 Location: 1456 Brentnell Ave., Columbus, OH
📞 Contact: Trina Walters | (740) 505-4015 | ✉️ twalters@wodagroup.com

🏙️ Lofts at 40 Long – Multi-story apartment complex
📍 Location: 40 West Long St., Columbus, OH 43215
📞 Contact: Bernie Gray | (330) 350-1477 | ✉️ bgray@wodagroup.com

🔨 Seeking subcontractors for trades including:

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Carpentry
• And more!

🎓 On-the-job training available!
✅ Section 3 Individuals & Business Concerns encouraged to apply
✅ WBE/MBE/VBE Certified Businesses strongly encouraged

📬 Mail inquiries to:
Woda Construction, Inc.
500 S. Front St., 10th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215

Help build quality housing while growing your business or career!

#ConstructionJobs #SubcontractorOpportunities #Section3 #MBE #WBE #VBE #AffordableHousing #ColumbusOH #OhioMBE #WodaConstruction

Strengthen your ability to win contracts with OBDC’s online class “How to Prepare Your Quote: Winning the Job,” taught by industry expert Daniel Odion, PE, PMP. This interactive session covers the essentials of creating competitive, accurate, and persuasive quotes, ensuring your business stands out in the bidding process.

When: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Where: Online (details provided upon registration)

Cost:

• FREE for OBDC Members
• $10 for Non-members

Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!

Register at OHBDC.org

Don’t miss OBDC’s FREE online class on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 AM!

📊 Learn how to build strong business credit and explore funding options to help your business grow.

🗣️ Presented by: Michael Towns of Adelphi Bank
📅 When: Tuesday, March 25
🕥 Time: 11:30 AM (EST)
💻 Where: Online via Zoom

✔️ Understand business vs. personal credit
✔️ Get steps to build credit from the ground up
✔️ Find out how to access funding

🎯 Perfect for new and established business owners!
🆓 FREE to attend – register now at OHBDC.org

#BusinessCredit #FundingForBusiness #SmallBizSuccess #OBDC #EntrepreneurSupport

The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) invites entrepreneurs and small business owners to attend a free online class on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 AM (EST) focused on building and strengthening business credit.

💼 Class: Building Business Credit & Funding Resources
📆 Date: Tuesday, March 25
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM (EST)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
🎙️ Presented by: Michael Towns, Adelphi Bank

Participants will learn:
✅ How to establish and grow business credit
✅ How business credit differs from personal credit
✅ Funding sources and tools to help you access capital

Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this session is packed with practical, easy-to-follow advice.

🆓 This class is free, but registration is required.

Register now at OHBDC.org and secure your spot!

#BusinessCredit #SmallBusiness #FundingResources #OBDC #Entrepreneurship #FreeClas

On March 20, OBDC hosted another powerful Women in the Construction Industry Lunch, this time with the generous support of Ruscilli Construction. Women business owners and professionals gathered to gain valuable insight on how to do business with Ruscilli and explore new opportunities in the construction industry.

Monica Womack, Chief of Diversity for the State of Ohio, provided helpful information about the various business services available through the state and shared tips on how women-owned firms can better position themselves for success.

The group also engaged in a critical discussion about the prequalification process—what it is, why it matters, and how going through it can open doors to more substantial contracts and partnerships.

“At OBDC, we’re committed to making sure women are at the table and ready to compete,” said Ronda Watson Barber, OBDC Founder and CEO. “Events like this help equip women with the tools, relationships, and information they need to thrive in the construction industry.”

Thank you to Ruscilli Construction and all the amazing women who joined us to learn, connect, and grow. We look forward to continuing the conversation and creating even more opportunities.

📢 New contracting opportunities are available! Don’t miss bids for:
🏗️ Roof Replacement at Food Service Production Center
🏗️ Fire Alarm Upgrades
🏗️ Professional Design Services
🏗️ VAWA Program Service Provider
🏗️ LCK Ramp 3 Reconstruction (Rickenbacker)
🏗️ Columbus Police Substation Hilltop
🏗️ County Resurfacing & Drainage Improvements

📅 Upcoming OBDC Training & Events:
👷‍♀️ Women in Construction Lunch – March 20 – Network & learn with Ruscilli!
💰 Building Business Credit – March 25 – Funding strategies for business owners!

📌 Read the full Bid Board here: OhioMBE.com & share with other business owners!

#OhioMBE #BidBoard #ContractingOpportunities #SmallBusiness #WomenInConstruction #BuildSmart #BlackBusiness #SupportLocal 🚀

 Calling all women entrepreneurs in Ohio! 

The newly launched Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC) is on a mission to empower, support, and advocate for women business owners across the state. To better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio’s women entrepreneurs, we are conducting a State of Women Business Owners in Ohio survey.

 Your input matters! This quick 3-minute survey will help shape policies, resources, and programs designed to support women-led businesses in Ohio.

Why Take the Survey?

 Advocate for better opportunities and support for women-owned businesses
 Help shape business policies and funding initiatives
 Be part of a powerful movement dedicated to women’s economic growth

 Take the survey today!  https://forms.gle/JcfHARKbfN5ePfpR9

The Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce is committed to creating a thriving network for women entrepreneurs. Learn more and stay connected at  www.womeninohio.com. OWCC is a program of the Ohio Business Development Center.

#WomenInBusiness #OhioWomenEntrepreneurs #OhioWomensChamber #OhioMBE

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the Franklin County Department of Sanitary Engineering, is seeking qualified Professional Engineering firms for the S. Grener Ave., Emmit Ave., Mix Ave., & Sullivant Ave. (GEMS) Water Main Replacement Project.

📅 Proposal Due Date: April 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM (ET)
📍 Pre-Proposal Conference: April 9, 2025, at 10:00 PM (ET)
📩 Written Question Deadline: April 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM (ET)

🔗 More Info & Bid Documents: http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/

📞 Contact: Erika Patray, Senior Purchasing Coordinator
📧 Email: epatray@franklincountyohio.gov
📱 Phone: 614-525-2595

🚧 Scope: Includes design, bidding, construction administration, & inspection services for the water main replacement project.

🔔 Don’t miss this opportunity to provide engineering expertise for Franklin County!

#RFQ #Engineering #WaterMainReplacement #FranklinCounty #Infrastructure #BidOpportunity #OhioMBE