Ronda Barber Managing Change Orders in Construction Projects
📅 Wednesday, September 24, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
📍 Zoom
Change is inevitable in construction, but it doesn’t have to derail your project. This class will provide strategies to:
✨ Free for OBDC Members
👉 Register today at OHBDC.org
We are thrilled to share the growing list of nominees for the 2025 OhioMBE Awards Luncheon, happening on Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Huntington Park, Columbus.
This year’s luncheon will celebrate excellence and leadership across Ohio’s small business community with awards in five categories:
✨ Nominations are open through September 30, 2025.
✨ People’s Choice Awards voting runs October 1–10, 2025.
✨ Winners will be announced at the OhioMBE Awards Luncheon.
👉 Submit your nomination today at OhioMBEAwards.com
#OhioMBEAwards #PeoplesChoiceAwards #OhioSmallBusiness #MBE #FBE #Nonprofit #FamilyBusiness
Read the full issue at 👉 https://bit.ly/4mn5SAD
🔨 Featured Contracting Opportunities
📥 Check out all bid notices inside the OhioMBE Bid Board.
🗓️ Upcoming Events
📍 Wed, Sept. 17 | 10 AM – 2 PM
Claim What’s Yours 513! – Word of Deliverance Church, Cincinnati
Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece announces a new Unclaimed Funds Initiative.
📍 Wed, Sept. 17 | 6 PM – 7:15 PM (Zoom)
OBDC Construction Academy – Construction Cleaning Checklists & Quality Control
🔗 Register at OHBDC.org
📍 Thu, Sept. 18 | 12 PM – 1 PM
Thursday Noon Luncheon Club – Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA, Columbus
📍 Thu, Sept. 18 | 6 PM – 7:30 PM (Zoom)
OBDC – Certification 101
🔗 Register at OHBDC.org
📍 Wed, Sept. 24 | 6 PM – 7:15 PM (Zoom)
OBDC Construction Academy – Managing Change Orders in Construction Projects
🔗 Register at OHBDC.org
📍 Thu, Sept. 25 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Candidate Forum – Family Missionary Baptist Church, Columbus
🌐 Ohio Diversity Network
List your event for FREE at OhioDiversityNetworks.com!
🆓 Free listings for business trainings, networking events & cultural celebrations.
🚀 Upgrade to a featured listing for $99 and get extra promotion.
🔗 Submit your event here: Event Form
🏆 2025 OhioMBE Awards – Nominations Open!
Celebrate Ohio’s top small businesses at the OhioMBE Awards Luncheon:
📅 Oct. 23, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Huntington Park, Columbus
Categories include:
✅ Nominations close Sept. 30
✅ People’s Choice voting runs Oct. 1–10
👉 Submit at OhioMBEAwards.com
🏗️ OBDC Construction Academy – September Classes
🔗 Register today at OHBDC.org
💡 Free for OBDC members!
📰 This Week’s Must-Reads on OhioMBE.com
The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) is accepting proposals for CMAR services for Demorest Townhomes, a new multi-family townhome building and clubhouse located at 4329 Demorest Cove Ct., Grove City, Ohio 43123. Sealed proposals should be submitted to CMHA Headquarters located at 880 E. 11th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43211, Attn Mike Wagner, by Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 10:00 am. A pre-submission meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:00 am, at CMHA Headquarters. Interested firms can download the RFP at Open Contract Opportunities – Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (cmhanet.com). Firms must agree to comply with the Davis-Bacon Labor Standards of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Firms are asked to assist CMHA in meeting their Minority Business Enterprise goal of 20%.
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.
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:
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
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.
✨ 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.
Any Ohio small business
You can nominate your own business or another business
Past winners are eligible
One nomination per person (per email)
Incomplete nominations may not be considered
Multiple people can nominate the same business
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
👉 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.
📍 All sessions are online.
✨ Free for OBDC members.
👉 Register today at buytickets.at/OBDC
🔨 Featured Contracting Opportunities:
📥 View the full Bid Board:
👉 https://bit.ly/4neox2p
🌐 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.
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
📣 Like what you see? Share the Bid Board with your network!
—
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE
OhioMBE.com