📣 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
Explore new bid notices and events that help grow your business.
🔗 View now: https://bit.ly/4khvvBK
🔥 Fire Damages & Related Work at Darrow Road Apartments – Due July 9
🚨 Fire Alarm Upgrades – Package II at Multiple Sites – Due July 7
💧 Village of Granville – WWTP Improvements (Rebid) – Due July 8
🅿️ Parking Lot Construction – Details available on the Bid Board
🌱 July 3 | Bronzeville Growers Market – Community Backyards Workshop
📍 OSU African American & African Studies Center
🕓 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
📋 July 8 | Certification 101 (Online) – Learn how to get certified
🕥 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🔗 Register: https://OHBDC.org
♿ July 13 | 11th Annual All Disabilities Festival
📍 Dorrian Green Park (Behind COSI) | 🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🤖 July 16 | OBDC Construction Academy: Using ChatGPT to Write Your Quote
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | 🔗 Register: https://OHBDC.org
🦁 July 17 | OhioMBE Procurement Fair – Hosted by the Columbus Zoo
📍 Columbus Zoo | 🕦 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Register: https://buytickets.at/the912group
💉 July 19 | First Stick Phlebotomy and IV Summit
🕗 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📌 Submit Your Event for FREE on OhioDiversityNetworks.com
Make sure your event is seen by business and community leaders across Ohio!
🔗 Submit: https://forms.gle/y7hbZPjfHv49iC4f8
👩🏾💼 Women-Owned? Add your business to the OWCC Directory!
Join a network that supports women-led entrepreneurship with a Pay What You Can membership.
🌐 Learn more: WomenInOhio.com
📰 This Week’s Must-Reads on OhioMBE.com
Westerville Hosts Sold-Out OhioMBE Procurement Fair
The Audit Is In: Columbus City Schools Must Do Better
Congratulations to Shinae White on Her Grand Opening
Speak at the OWCC Summer Conference
Just My Thoughts: Election Day Reflections
📬 Visit OhioMBE.com to explore more bid notices and events.
📢 Do you like the Bid Board? Share it!
The next OhioMBE Procurement Fair will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This impactful event offers small and minority-owned businesses the opportunity to schedule 15-minute appointments with purchasing representatives from major public and private organizations.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is proudly hosting the event and will have representatives available from several key departments, including Facilities, Marketing, and Purchasing. Businesses from across Ohio are expected to attend, seeking connections that can lead to new partnerships and contracting opportunities.
“People are making real connections and securing contracts,” said Ronda Barber, publisher of OhioMBE and organizer of the event. “The Procurement Fair creates intentional networking moments that open doors for diverse suppliers. It’s about access, opportunity, and growth.”
The OhioMBE Procurement Fair is known for its efficient, one-on-one meeting format that allows business owners to directly introduce their services and learn how to become vendors. Past participants have gone on to build lasting relationships and secure contracts with attending organizations.
Registration is open and space is limited. To secure your appointment schedule, visit https://buytickets.at/the912group
The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) is excited to announce a dynamic lineup of free virtual classes for July 2025 — all designed to help entrepreneurs, contractors, and small business owners sharpen their skills and grow their businesses.
Whether you’re working toward certification, improving your quotes and contracts, or looking to turn social media engagement into paying clients, these sessions offer practical, real-world strategies to help you succeed.
✔️ Certification 101
Date: Tuesday, July 8 | Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Learn how to become a certified MBE/WBE/EDGE business and tap into government and corporate contract opportunities.
✔️ Using ChatGPT to Write Your Quote
Date: Wednesday, July 16 | Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you create clear, persuasive quotes that save time and win contracts.
✔️ Post. Pitch. Profit. (Hosted by the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce)
Date: Wednesday, July 23 | Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
This special edition of Pitch & Connect focuses on using social media to drive real business results. Includes live pitches and marketing tips.
🌟 OWCC members receive priority pitch spots.
✔️ What to Include in General Conditions (OBDC Construction Academy)
Date: Wednesday, July 23 | Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Learn what belongs in your General Conditions section — and why it’s key to protecting your profit on construction projects.
🎓 All classes are free for OBDC members
💻 Held online via Zoom
🔗 Register now at OHBDC.org
New bid notices, events & resources to grow your biz!
🛠️ Darrow Rd. Fire Repairs – Due 7/9
🔔 Fire Alarm Upgrades – Due 7/7
🏗️ WWTP Improvements (Rebid) – Due 7/8
🚧 Trinity Baptist Church Parking Lot
📅 Don’t miss:
👷♂️ Job Costing Class – June 18 @ 6PM
🤝 Pitch & Connect: June 25 @ 11:30AM
📍 OhioMBE Procurement Fair – June 24 @ 12:30PM
🔗 View full Bid Board: https://bit.ly/3FJlGyx
#OhioMBE #BlackBusiness #BidBoard #SupportLocal #ProcurementFair #Construction #OWCC #Networking #OHBDC #WomenInBusiness 💼💪🏽
The June 24 OhioMBE Procurement Fair just got even bigger! With three new organizations confirmed, this will be the largest OhioMBE Procurement Fair of 2025 — and it’s happening at the beautiful Everal Barn & Homestead, hosted by the City of Westerville.
Join us for an afternoon of focused networking and intentional business matchmaking. Small, minority-, and women-owned businesses will meet one-on-one with procurement professionals for 15-minute appointments designed to open doors and generate real opportunities.
📍 Location: Everal Barn & Homestead, 60 N. Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
🕧 Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
💵 Admission: $25 per person
🎟️ Register at: https://buytickets.at/the912group
“We’re not just hosting another event—we’re building real, intentional opportunities for small businesses to connect, grow, and thrive.”
— Ronda Watson Barber, Publisher, OhioMBE
Don’t miss the biggest supplier diversity networking event of the year!
The Franklin County Purchasing Department is the latest organization to confirm attendance at the upcoming OhioMBE Procurement Fair, hosted by the City of Westerville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Everal Barn & Homestead.
This event is a key opportunity for small, minority-, and women-owned businesses to connect directly with public agencies and corporate buyers through scheduled 15-minute matchmaking meetings. Businesses can introduce their products and services, learn about procurement processes, and build relationships that lead to contracting opportunities.
📍 Location: Everal Barn & Homestead, 60 N. Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
🕧 Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
💵 Admission: $25 per attendee
🎟️ Register at: https://buytickets.at/the912group
Don’t miss your chance to connect, contract, and grow your business at the OhioMBE Procurement Fair.
🚨 The June 11 OhioMBE Bid Board is LIVE! 🚨
New contracting opportunities are waiting for YOU at OhioMBE.com 🖥️
🛠️ Current Opportunities:
🔥 Fire Damages @ Darrow Road Apts – Due July 9
🚨 Fire Alarm Upgrades (Package II) – Due July 7
🏢 Property Management Services – Due June 16
🚒 Fire Station 22 Women’s Locker Room Expansion – Due June 19
🏢 Office on Aging Renovation – Due June 13
🏛️ Norwich Twp Safety Services Bldg – Due June 17
🥤 Nutritional Supplements – Due June 11
🚗 Towing & Impound Management – Due July 1
💧 WWTP Improvements (Granville Rebid) – Due July 8
🅿️ Parking Lot Construction @ Trinity Baptist Church – Details on OhioMBE.com
📅 Plus: Business events, construction training, and procurement fairs — check it all out NOW 👉 https://bit.ly/3HAw5go
#OhioMBE #BidBoard #BlackBusiness #ConstructionOpportunities #BuyBlack #ColumbusContracting #SupplierDiversity 🚀
LEGAL NOTICE
FIRE ALARM UPGRADES-PACKAGE II AT MULTIPLE SITES
Electronic bids for the above-referenced projects will be received by the BOARD OF EDUCATION, City School District of Columbus, Ohio, Office of Capital Improvements, (via Public Purchase), until Monday, July 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. More information can be found on the District’s web site at http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/rfp. The plans and specifications are on file with Franklin Imaging.
Robertson Construction is seeking subcontractors and suppliers interested in bidding on the Village of Granville, Ohio – Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements – REBID project. This project is a Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage and Tax-Exempt project with the current negotiated goal for construction related activities is 5.4% (the total goal is based on 3.1% of MBEs and 2.3% of WBEs participation).
Project Overview:
We are inviting qualified firms to submit pricing and participate in this exciting opportunity. If you are a certified MBE/WBE firm, we strongly encourage your participation to help us meet the project’s MBE/WBE goal.
For more details on the project, please view the full plans and documents at the following link: E-8556 Village of Granville – Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements – REBID
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to skelly@robertsonconstruction.net.
📍 Project Location: 3069 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43207
📅 Bid Due Date: June 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🛠️ Construction Start: September 2025
🏁 Completion: March 2026
Project Overview:
The City of Columbus is soliciting bids for the renovation and expansion of the Women’s Locker Room at Fire Station 22. The project includes demolition of the existing Women’s Shower Room and storage area, followed by construction of a new Female Shower and Locker Room.
✅ MBE/WBE Participation Goal: 11% (City of Columbus)
📑 Prevailing Wage Required
💲 Tax Exempt Project
📂 Access Bidding Documents: https://bit.ly/4jCJim1
📧 Inquiries & Bid Access Contact:
Aaron Daman – Elford Construction
📩 adaman@elford.com
For more bid opportunities, visit OhioMBE.com.
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