The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) is proud to announce that Jeanna Hondel, President & CEO of Ascension Construction Solutions, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 OhioMBE Awards Luncheon. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Huntington Park in Downtown Columbus.

This year’s theme is Inclusion Reimagined: Rising Together, reflecting the importance of equity, advocacy, and opportunity in Ohio’s small business ecosystem.

Hondel is a familiar face to the OhioMBE community. She is a past OhioMBE Awards honoree and was recognized for her support of the OBDC Construction Academy, where she has helped train and mentor contractors. Since founding Ascension Construction Solutions in 2017, she has built a firm rooted in values of respect, teamwork, accountability, and inclusion—principles that align with the spirit of the OhioMBE Awards.

“Jeanna is the perfect choice to keynote this year’s luncheon,” said Ronda Watson Barber, Publisher of OhioMBE and Executive Director of OBDC. “Her leadership and advocacy for small businesses exemplify the power of inclusion reimagined. We are thrilled to have her inspire our audience of entrepreneurs, buyers, and advocates.”

The OhioMBE Awards celebrate Ohio’s top minority-, female-, and family-owned businesses, as well as nonprofits and advocates who champion supplier diversity and inclusion.

🎟️ Sponsorship and ticket information is available at OhioMBEAwards.com.

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About the OhioMBE Awards
The OhioMBE Awards, presented by the Ohio Business Development Center, is the state’s premier luncheon celebrating small businesses and the advocates who support them. Since its founding, the event has recognized hundreds of entrepreneurs, corporations, and community leaders committed to building a more inclusive economy.

The OBDC Construction Academy is committed to helping contractors and small business owners build capacity, strengthen operations, and gain access to contracting opportunities. Join us this week for two powerful online learning sessions:

📚 Upcoming Classes

Construction Cleaning Checklists & Quality Control
📅 Wednesday, September 17, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
📍 Zoom

Certification 101
📅 Thursday, September 18, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Zoom

✨ Free for OBDC Members

👉 Register today at OHBDC.org

Bid Due: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Location: 10th Floor, Dorrian Building, 369 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
Anticipated Start: October 27, 2025
Anticipated Completion: January 19, 2026 (date provided as “2025” appears to be a typo; adjust if 2025 is correct)

Project Overview

Elford (CMR) is soliciting bids for the renovation of the Franklin County Family Stabilization Unit on the 10th floor of the Dorrian Building.

Bid Packages

1.0 Final Cleaning

2.0 Selective Demolition

6.3 General Trades

9.0 Drywall & Acoustical

9.2 Resilient Flooring & Carpet

9.9 Painting

21.0 Fire Suppression

23.0 HVAC

26.0 Electrical & Technology

Requirements & Goals

SEBE Participation Goal: 20% Small & Emerging Business Enterprise

Wage/Tax: Prevailing wage applies; project is tax-exempt

Qualifications: See Article 8 of the ITB for Franklin County quality contractor requirements

Questions / Contact

Aaron Daman, Elford
 adaman@elford.com |  614-375-0931

Here’s a link to the bidding document

Nominations Open for the 2025 People’s Choice Award!

We’re excited to announce that nominations are now open for the People’s Choice Award, part of the 2025 OhioMBE Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Huntington Park in downtown Columbus.

The People’s Choice Award celebrates outstanding Ohio-based small businesses that inspire our community through excellence, service, and impact.

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📌 How It Works

✨ Nominate your favorite business by September 30, 2025.
✨ Eligible nominees will advance to the People’s Choice Voting Contest.
✨ Voting runs October 1–10, 2025.
✨ The winner will be revealed live at the OhioMBE Awards Luncheon.

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✅ Who Can Be Nominated?

• Any Ohio small business

• You can nominate your own business or another business

• Past winners are eligible

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⚠️ Guidelines

• One nomination per person (per email)

• Incomplete nominations may not be considered

• Multiple people can nominate the same business

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🎉 About the OhioMBE Awards Luncheon

The OhioMBE Awards, presented by the Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC), is Ohio’s premier networking luncheon celebrating small businesses, family-owned companies, nonprofits, and their advocates.

This year’s theme is “Inclusion Reimagined: Rising Together.”
Join us as we honor outstanding businesses and community leaders who are making an impact across Ohio.

📅 Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
🕦 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Huntington Park, Columbus, Ohio

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👉 Submit your nomination today at OhioMBEAwards.com

The OBDC Construction Academy is excited to announce our upcoming September training sessions! These online classes are designed to give contractors and small business owners the knowledge and tools needed to grow, stay compliant, and run projects successfully.

September Classes Include:

• Certification 101 – Learn how to get your business certified for local, state, and federal programs.
• Construction Cleaning Checklists & Quality Control – Develop systems to ensure professional and thorough project closeouts.
• Managing Change Orders in Construction Projects – Stay in control of costs, timelines, and client expectations.
• Coordinating Subcontractors: Best Practices for Smooth Project Execution – Strengthen communication and collaboration on every project.

📍 All sessions are online.
✨ Free for OBDC members.

👉 Register today at buytickets.at/OBDC

🔨 Featured Contracting Opportunities:

• West Opportunity Center Lease & Relocation Services – Due Sept. 17
• Refuse and Recyclable Materials Disposal & Processing Services – Due Sept. 10

📥 View the full Bid Board:
👉 https://bit.ly/4neox2p

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📅 Upcoming Highlights:

🌐 Ohio Diversity Network – List Your Event for FREE!
Promote your workshops, networking events, or cultural programs at no cost.
➤ Submit: https://forms.gle/y7hbZPjfHv49iC4f8
➤ Boost visibility with a $99 featured listing.

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🏗️ OBDC Construction Academy – September Online Classes

• Certification 101
• Construction Cleaning Checklists & Quality Control
• Managing Change Orders in Construction Projects
• Coordinating Subcontractors: Best Practices
  📍 Free for OBDC Members
  👉 Register: OHBDC.org

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👑 SheLeads.OH Women’s Conference Recap

Women entrepreneurs gathered for an empowering day of Contracts, Cash & Connections at Quest Conference Center.
💬 Attendee Feedback:

“By far the best procurement fair I’ve attended.”
“This event was filled with tenacity and excellence.”

👀 Stay connected: WomenInOhio.com

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📰 Must-Reads at OhioMBE.com:

• When Representation Doesn’t Mean Inclusion
• Are We Progressing? 62 Years After the March on Washington
• Taxation Without Participation
• Why the CEA Must Stand With Black LEDE Businesses
• CCS: Capital Improvement Dollars — Who’s Really Winning?

📣 Like what you see? Share the Bid Board with your network!

—
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE
OhioMBE.com

August 27 OhioMBE Bid Board Is Live!

New contracting opportunities are available for small, minority, and women-owned businesses across Ohio. Don’t miss your chance to compete and connect!

Featured Opportunities

• 🏢 West Opportunity Center Lease & Relocation Services — Due September 17

• 🗑️ Refuse & Recyclable Materials Disposal & Processing Services — Due September 10

📥 Read the full Bid Board: https://bit.ly/46b3R5u

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List Your Event on OhioDiversityNetworks.com — FREE!

Got a business training, networking opportunity, or cultural celebration coming up?
You can list your event at no cost on Ohio’s go-to hub for diverse business and community happenings.

🔗 Submit your event here: https://forms.gle/y7hbZPjfHv49iC4f8

Want more visibility? Upgrade to a Featured Listing for just $99 and get promoted on our social platforms and newsletters.

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ICYMI: SheLeads.OH Women’s Conference Was a Success!

On August 20, women entrepreneurs and leaders from across Ohio gathered at the Quest Conference Center for a day filled with Contracts, Cash, and Connections.

From the OhioMBE Procurement Fair and FundHer Finance Fair to powerful panels and networking opportunities, attendees left inspired and equipped to grow their businesses.

💬 “This was by far the best procurement fair I’ve attended. I met so many wonderful connections and gained valuable resources!”

Stay connected and learn more at WomenInOhio.com.

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🌟 Add Your Business to the OWCC Directory

Join the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Business Directory and showcase your products and services to a growing network of clients, collaborators, and opportunities.

✨ Pay What You Can Membership — no barriers, no limits.
📬 Submit your business today: WomenInOhio.com

The OhioMBE Awards Luncheon, presented by OBDC returns on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Huntington Park in downtown Columbus.

Join us for Ohio’s premier celebration of small, minority, and female-owned businesses, nonprofits, and family-owned companies, along with the advocates who champion them. Connect, network, and honor outstanding achievements from across Ohio.

✨ Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
✨ Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
✨ Location: Huntington Park, Columbus, OH

🎟️ Reserve your seat today: buytickets.at/obdc

Are you ready to take on public projects? Understanding prevailing wage requirements is essential for contractors and small business owners who want to work on government-funded construction projects.

Join the OBDC Construction Academy for a focused online training session designed to help you navigate prevailing wage laws and stay in compliance.

What You’ll Learn

• The basics of prevailing wage laws
• How compliance impacts contractors and subcontractors
• Record-keeping and reporting requirements
• Strategies to avoid costly penalties

Event Details

📅 Wednesday, August 27, 2025
🕦 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
💻 Online via Zoom
✅ Free for OBDC Members

This training is ideal for contractors, subcontractors, and small business owners preparing to bid on public projects.

👉 Register today at OHBDC.org