Great News! Ohio State University Medical Center Joins the May 8 OhioMBE Procurement Fair!

The May 8 OhioMBE Procurement Fair, hosted by the City of Upper Arlington, just got even better!

Ohio State University Medical Center has joined the lineup of organizations looking to meet and connect with small and minority-owned businesses.

βœ… Attending organizations include:

  • City of Upper Arlington
  • Franklin County
  • State of Ohio
  • Columbus Airports
  • Columbus City Schools
  • Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
  • Pepper Construction
  • Ohio State University Medical Center

πŸ“… Each business will receive a 15-minute one-on-one appointment with the organizations of their choice.

🚨 Registration is still open β€” but appointments are filling up fast!

πŸ‘‰ Register now at OhioMBE.com and don’t miss this chance to grow your business!

May 8 OhioMBE Procurement Fair, hosted by the City of Upper Arlington – Register Now!

The May OhioMBE Procurement Fair will be hosted by the City of Upper Arlington on Wednesday, May 8, 2025.

Small and minority-owned businesses will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with decision-makers from the following organizations:

  • βœ… City of Upper Arlington
  • βœ… Franklin County
  • βœ… State of Ohio
  • βœ… Columbus Airports
  • βœ… Columbus City Schools
  • βœ… Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

🎯 Each business will receive a 15-minute appointment to introduce their products or services. These sessions are designed to help build relationships, expand networks, and access new contracting opportunities.

⚠️ Spaces are filling fast – don’t miss out!

πŸ‘‰ Register today at OhioMBE.com

Let’s connect. Let’s contract. Let’s grow.

May Events: OBDC Business & Construction Academy + Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC)

Get ready to learn, grow, and connect this May! Whether you’re looking to scale your construction business or expand your network, we have opportunities for you.


πŸ“š OBDC Business & Construction Academy Events

Certification 101
πŸ—“οΈ May 6 @ 11:30 AM (Online)
Learn how to get your business certified and unlock new contracting opportunities.
πŸ‘‰ Register Here

Scaling Up Your Construction Business: Profit & Sustainability Essentials
πŸ—“οΈ May 14 @ 6:00 PM (Online)
Build a strong, profitable, and sustainable construction business for the long haul.
πŸ‘‰ Register Here

πŸ”Ή Reminder: OBDC Members register FREE!
When checking out, select “Use Membership Code” and enter your membership number for complimentary access.


πŸ‘‘ Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC) Events

Pitch & Connect: Building Business Relationships
πŸ—“οΈ May 21 @ 11:30 AM (Zoom)
Join us for a fun, fast-paced networking session where you can pitch your business and make new connections across Ohio!
πŸ‘‰ Register Here

🌟 New! OWCC Memberships Now Available
Support women entrepreneurs and grow with a dynamic statewide network.
πŸ”— Learn More


πŸ”” Stay connected. Stay empowered. See you online!

Connect, Collaborate, and Grow with OWCC!

The Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC) invites you to our first Pitch & Connect online networking session!

Pitch & Connect: Power Moves – Building Connections for Women Entrepreneurs
πŸ“… Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
πŸ•š Time: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
πŸ“ Location: Online via Zoom
🎟 Free to attend!

Why Attend?
βœ… Share your 60-second business pitch
βœ… Build powerful new relationships
βœ… Network with women entrepreneurs across Ohio
βœ… Discover collaboration and growth opportunities

This is a high-energy, supportive space designed to uplift and connect women business owners at every stage.

Hosted by:
Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce – a program of the Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC)

πŸ”— Reserve your spot today! Registration is open.

Let’s move forward β€” together!

Kenmore Construction – Bid Announcement: City of Columbus – Blacklick Creek Sanitary Interceptor Sewer – Shaft 1 Control Gate Project

Kenmore Construction Co., Inc. is seeking proposals from MBE/WBE firms certified through the City of Columbus – Office of Diversity and Inclusion for the following opportunity:

πŸ”§ Project Overview:

  • Project Name: Blacklick Creek Sanitary Interceptor Sewer – Shaft 1 Control Gate
  • CIP #: 650034-100010
  • Bid Due: May 7, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST
  • Proposal Deadline to Kenmore: May 6, 2025, by 12:00 PM (Local Time)
  • Project Duration: Substantial completion within 365 days; final completion within 455 days

πŸ“ Locations:

  • Control Gate Site: 7234 Blacklick Ridge Blvd., Blacklick, OH 43137
  • Remote Monitoring Site (MF34): 4411 Marketing Place, Groveport, OH 43125
  • Remote Monitoring Site (MF18): 2127 Integrity Drive S., Columbus, OH 43209

πŸ› οΈ Subcontracting Opportunities Available In:

🧱 Concrete & Site Work | πŸ”© Metals & Fasteners | 🚰 Mechanical & Electrical | 🧰 Instrumentation & Controls | 🚧 Excavation & Paving
…and more! Partial scopes and material supply opportunities are welcomed.

πŸ“© Request Bid Documents or Submit Quotes To:

Adam Kohler – πŸ“§ adamk@kenmorecompanies.com | ☎️ 330-762-9373 | πŸ“  Fax: 330-762-2135

πŸ› οΈ Assistance in bonding, insurance, or mentoring is available upon request.

πŸ“ Company Address:
Kenmore Construction Co., Inc.
Columbus Office: 2924 Banwick Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
Akron Office: 700 Home Ave., Akron, OH 44310

Kenmore Construction is committed to engaging diverse firms and encourages all certified MBE/WBE vendors to participate!

#BidNotice #ConstructionOpportunities #ColumbusProjects #MBE #WBE #KenmoreConstruction #SupplierDiversity #OhioMBE #InfrastructureProjects

Vendor Opportunity at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

On May 21, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will host a special Vendor Forum at the Africa Event Center, designed to strengthen local partnerships and introduce new opportunities for collaboration.

Attendees will learn how to do business with:
πŸ¦“ Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
πŸ¦’ The Wilds
πŸ’¦ Zoombezi Bay
β›³ Safari Golf Club

This forum will offer guidance on:
βœ… Becoming a registered supplier
βœ… Navigating the Zoo’s purchasing software
βœ… Exploring current and future business opportunities
βœ… Connecting directly with purchasing teams
βœ… Registering as a small or minority-owned business
βœ… Understanding the Zoo’s commitment to local, sustainable, and inclusive sourcing

πŸ“… Advance registration is required by May 16.
πŸ”— Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/w4x7dRswBz

#ColumbusZoo #VendorForum #BusinessOpportunities #MBE #SupplierDiversity #SmallBusiness #OhioMBE #SustainableSourcing

The April 16 OhioMBE Bid Board is Live! 🚨

The April 16 edition of the OhioMBE Bid Board is now available β€” featuring new contracting opportunities and business resources to support Ohio’s small and minority-owned businesses.


πŸ“’ Contracting Opportunities Include:
🏒 Easton Office Renovations – Bids due May 13
πŸ›« Passenger Boarding Bridges – Now open
🧾 Professional Engineering Services – Bids due April 24
πŸ”§ General Home Repair Services – Bids due May 28
πŸ“‘ Process Server Services – Bids due May 21
🏘️ Brentnell Pointe & Lofts at 40 Long – Project details inside

πŸ“Œ Read the complete Bid Board here: https://bit.ly/4jeY57g


πŸŽ“ OBDC Business Training

πŸ›‘οΈ Bonding & Insurance for Construction Companies
πŸ“… April 16 | 11:30 AM
πŸŽ“ Presented by Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates

πŸ’° Funding HER Future: Capital for Women-Owned Businesses
πŸ“… April 22 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
πŸ’¬ Learn about funding, banking, and building business credit

πŸ“ Register now at: OHBDC.org


πŸ“° Must-Reads on OhioMBE.com:

  • β€œWhy I’m Canceling My NAACP Membership”
  • β€œOhio Women’s Chamber Launches Statewide Survey”
  • β€œWho Is Fighting for Black Business Inclusion?”
  • β€œProcurement Fair & Business Success Summit Recap”
  • β€œColumbus City Schools Continues to Fail LEDE Vendors”

πŸ“’ Please share the April 16 Bid Board with another business owner and encourage them to subscribe at OhioMBE.com!

Best regards,
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE

πŸ“’ RFP Alert: Process Server Services Needed!

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the Child Support Enforcement Agency, is now accepting proposals for RFP #2025-08-02 – Process Server Services.

πŸ“… Proposal Deadline: May 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM EDT
πŸ“¬ Written Questions Due: April 29, 2025, by 12:00 PM

πŸ” Full details & documents:
🌐 http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/

πŸ“ž Contact: Annie Spann at annie.spann1@franklincountyohio.gov | 614-525-3673

Don’t miss this opportunity to provide professional services in support of child support enforcement!

#RFP #BidOpportunity #FranklinCounty #ProcessServer #ChildSupport #GovernmentContracts #OhioMBE #PublicProcurement

Learn About Bonding & Insurance – Free Online Workshop from OBDC Construction Academy

The OBDC Construction Academy is hosting a free online workshop, β€œBonding & Insurance for Construction Companies,” on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 11:30 AM.

Presented by Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates, Agency, this session will break down what construction businesses need to know about bonding, insurance requirements, and risk management strategies to stay competitive and compliant.

βœ… Understand types of bonds and when they’re required
βœ… Learn what insurance coverage your construction business needs
βœ… Get expert guidance and ask your questions live

πŸ’» This online class is free and open to all.

πŸ“… Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
πŸ•’ Time: 11:30 AM
πŸ“ Location: Online

Register now at OHBDC.org – Don’t miss this valuable opportunity!

πŸ“’ Bid Opportunity: CMHA Easton Office Renovation

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) is accepting bids for the Easton Office Renovation at 3400 Morse Crossing, Columbus, OH.

πŸ“… Bid Opening: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM
πŸ“ Attend: Virtually via Zoom (request link from cbelcastro@cmhanet.com) or in person at 880 E. 11th Avenue, Columbus, OH

πŸ› οΈ Pre-Bid Meeting: Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM (on-site)
πŸ“„ Documents Available: Starting April 11, 2025 at https://cmhanet.com/Business/ConstructionContracts or at www.dcplanroom.com

πŸ’Ό Requirements:
βœ… 5% Bid Bond
βœ… Davis-Bacon Act Compliance
βœ… Section 3 Participation (10%)
βœ… MBE Goal (20%)

πŸ“¦ Bids must be mailed or dropped off at 880 E. 11th Ave before 11:00 AM on May 13.

#BidNotice #CMHA #ColumbusConstruction #EastonRenovation #MBE #Section3 #OhioMBE #HousingAuthorityProjects #DavisBacon