📣 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce that the Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) now has an official fundraising page. Support minority and small businesses in Ohio by making a donation today. Every contribution helps us empower more entrepreneurs. Check it out: OBDC Fundraising Page 🌟
#OBDC #SupportSmallBusiness #EmpowerEntrepreneurs
📅 Tuesday, April 21 | 11:30 AM (Virtual)
What separates the businesses that get called… from the ones that get overlooked?
Join the Ohio Business Development Center for a real-world session focused on what it actually takes to stand out as a subcontractor or vendor.
This is where you learn how decisions are really made.
You’ll hear directly from estimators and purchasing professionals about what they look for when reviewing vendors, evaluating bids, and building their go-to list of subcontractors.
What You’ll Learn
✔️ What makes a business stand out immediately
✔️ The common mistakes that cost you opportunities
✔️ How to present your business the right way
✔️ What estimators and buyers expect before they ever call you
✔️ How to position your company for repeat work
Who Should Attend
Contractors and subcontractors
Service-based businesses
Suppliers and vendors
Certified and non-certified businesses
Anyone serious about getting selected for projects
Why This Matters
Getting certified or submitting a bid isn’t enough. If you want consistent opportunities, you need to understand how buyers think—and what makes them choose one business over another.
This session will give you that insight.
Cost
Free for OBDC members
Not a member? Join today for just $25 and attend this session at no cost.
Register Today
Visit OHBDC.org to reserve your spot.
Ohio’s Weekly Source for Contracts, Capital & Connections
🔨 NEW ISSUE • April 14, 2026
A publication of The 912 Group • Publisher: Ronda Watson Barber
Connecting small businesses to cash, contracts, and connections across Ohio. Review bid notices at OhioMBE.com .
April 18 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
FREE Community Shred Day
Community Bank – Downtown Zanesville Office
113 North Fifth Street, Zanesville, Ohio
Secure document destruction available.
Free
April 18 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Youth Symposium
Hartwell Recreation Center (CRC)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Careers • Finance • Education • Entrepreneurship
April 19 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
18th Annual JUMP 25 OH
St. Charles Prep (Gym)
Columbus, Ohio
Hall of Fame • All-Star Classic featuring Ohio’s top high school seniors
$6.00
Net Auto Glass Named “Best of 2026” in Columbus
Read the full article
Have news to share? Let Ohio know what your business is doing.
Free submission for a limited time
📘 Certification 101: Get Certified & Contract Ready
📅 April 14 or 28
Learn how MBE, WBE, DBE, and EDGE certifications work and how to apply. This session covers eligibility, required documents, common mistakes, and how certification connects to real contracting opportunities.
🔨 How to Become a Preferred Subcontractor
📅 April 21 | 11:30 AM (Virtual)
Hear directly from estimators and purchasing professionals on how subcontractors actually get selected. Learn what makes you stand out, how to approach buyers, and how to position your business for real work. Includes live Q&A.
OBDC Membership – Just $25/Year
Membership provides free access to training, mentoring, certification assistance, and business support services.
Join today at OHBDC.org
📸 Give Back Snaps
A nonprofit photo booth experience supporting small business programming and community events.
Book your booth
🎓 OBDC Construction Academy • Replay Library
On-demand training led by industry experts covering estimating, project management, compliance, and more. Members receive free access to the full training library.
Access the Replay Library
Ask Better Questions Before You Cast Your Vote
Read the full column
$80.9 Million in Contracts—Where Was the Outreach?
Read the full column
Where Is the $80.9 Million Going?
Read the full column
When the Community Pays but Can’t Participate
Read the full column
A 25-Year Program Doesn’t Need Rebuilding. It Needs Leadership
Read the full column
Your Business Here
Put your business in front of entrepreneurs, contractors, decision-makers, and small business owners across Ohio.
Become a Sponsor|
Ad Space 1 Feature your business, service, class, or event here. |
Ad Space 2 Reach OhioMBE readers with a short, direct promotional message. |
Ad Space 3 Promote an upcoming opportunity, program, product, or service. |
Promote your business, event, or service in the OhioMBE Bid Board Classifieds.
Email rbarber@ohiombe.com for rates and deadlines.
Know another business owner who could benefit from these opportunities?
Please share the OhioMBE Bid Board.
The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) continues its Mo’ Money March series with a focused session designed to help certified businesses access capital and grow.
Following a strong kickoff session on banking relationships and financial readiness, today’s session will highlight how businesses can take the next step—leveraging certification to secure funding.
State of Ohio Loan Programs for Certified Businesses
📅 March 26
⏰ 11:30 AM
💻 Online | Free to Attend
This session will provide an overview of loan programs available through the State of Ohio and how certified businesses can position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities.
Participants will learn how certification can open doors to funding and support business expansion, project readiness, and long-term growth.
This session builds on the momentum of Mo’ Money March and continues OBDC’s commitment to connecting small businesses with the resources they need to succeed.
👉 Register at: https://buytickets.at/OBDC
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has released a new contracting opportunity for businesses specializing in signage manufacturing and installation.
RFP #: 2026-03-03
Proposal Opening Date: April 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST
Franklin County Public Facilities Management is seeking qualified vendors to provide wayfinding signage manufacturing and installation services. This project includes:
All amendments and updates will be posted on the official Franklin County Purchasing website:
http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/
Interested vendors are responsible for monitoring the site for updates.
Patricia Wells
📧 Patricia.Wells@franklincountyohio.gov
📞 614.525.3750
This opportunity is issued by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners:
John O’Grady, President
Kevin L. Boyce, Commissioner
Erica C. Crawley, Commissioner
📢 Stay connected with OhioMBE for the latest bid opportunities, events, and resources for small businesses across Ohio.
💰 Mo’ Money March starts TODAY at OBDC!
If you’re serious about funding your business and building real banking relationships, this is where you need to be.
📅 Today | 11:30 AM
We’re talking banking relationships and how to position your business for funding
📅 Tomorrow | 11:30 AM
Power session on how to use your certification to access State of Ohio loans at incredible rates
Both sessions are FREE and online
👉 Register now at buytickets.at/OBDC
#ohiombe #MoMoneyMarch #OBDC #AccessToCapital #SmallBusinessGrowth
Preparing your DBE Personal Narrative can be one of the most confusing parts of the certification process. In this session, we’ll break down what reviewers are looking for and how to clearly explain the barriers that have impacted your business.
Learn how to structure your narrative, avoid common mistakes, and strengthen your certification application.
📅 Today
⏰ 1:00 PM | Online
✨ OBDC Members attend FREE!
Register at OHBDC.org
#ohiombe #smallbusiness #dbe #certification #entrepreneurship
Marker Construction and Ascension Construction Solutions have confirmed they will be attending the March OhioMBE Procurement Fair.
Meet with construction leaders, introduce your business, and learn how to get on bidder lists for upcoming projects.
Participating organizations include:
✔ Smoot Construction
✔ Setterlin Construction
✔ Marker Construction
✔ Ascension Construction Solutions
✔ Eldorado Scioto Downs
📅 March 24, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
More organizations confirm daily.
🔗 OhioMBEProcurementFairs.com
🎟 https://buytickets.at/the912group
#ohiombe #constructionopportunities #smallbusiness
The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) is pleased to introduce Business Compliance & Notary Services to support contractors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with document preparation and notarization.
Businesses frequently need assistance completing affidavits, certification applications, and other required documents before submitting them for certification, contracting, or regulatory purposes. OBDC’s new service helps ensure documents are properly prepared and executed so businesses can move forward without unnecessary delays.
• In-office notary appointments (by appointment)
• Mobile notary service within Central Ohio
• Certification packet review and notarization
• One-hour business compliance consultations
These services are designed to help businesses stay organized, compliant, and prepared when submitting documentation for certifications, contracting opportunities, and other business requirements.
Appointments are required and confirmed once payment is received.
Please remember to bring a valid government-issued ID and do not sign documents in advance, as signatures must be witnessed during the notarization process.
👉 Request an appointment:
https://forms.gle/vouJLKcf25Bkb8jB9
Under Ohio law, notarial acts are billed at $5 per notarial act, with separate administrative, travel, or consultation fees applied for services provided by OBDC.
Compliance Notice: In accordance with Ohio law, the notarial fee is $5 per notarial act; any additional charges represent separate administrative, travel, or compliance service fees and are agreed to in advance.
OBDC members receive discounted service rates.
New contracting opportunities, business news, and upcoming events across Ohio are waiting for you.
🔎 Featured Bids:
✔️ Franklin County – Process Server Services
✔️ CMHA – Unit Restoration (Rosewind)
📚 Plus new columns, policy updates, and powerful connections from February’s OhioMBE Procurement Fair.
Don’t miss what could be your next contract.
👉 Read it now: https://ohiombe.com/archives/26230
#ohiombe #BidBoard #OhioBusinesses #GovernmentContracts #SupplierDiversity #BlackOwnedBusiness #SmallBusinessOhio
WHO: Franklin County Board of Commissioners
AGENCY: Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency
PROJECT NAME: RFP# 2026-08-05 – Process Server Services
Proposal Opening Date & Time:
📅 April 25, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM EDT
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency, is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to perform Process Server Services.
This opportunity is ideal for experienced and qualified firms that provide professional legal document delivery and related services.
All amendments and clarifications will be posted on the Franklin County Purchasing Department website:
🔗 http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/
Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the Purchasing Department website for all updates, amendments, and clarifications.
Written Question Deadline:
📅 March 13, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM EDT
All questions should be directed to:
Sandra Hernandez
Bidding Coordinator
Franklin County Purchasing Department
📧 Sandra.Hernandez@franklincountyohio.gov
📞 614.525.5860
John O’Grady, President
Kevin L. Boyce, Commissioner
Erica C. Crawley, Commissioner
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