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:

• ✅ City of Upper Arlington
• ✅ Franklin County
• ✅ State of Ohio
• ✅ Columbus Airports
• ✅ Columbus City Schools
• ✅ 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!

👉 Register today at OhioMBE.com

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

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.

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📚 OBDC Business & Construction Academy Events

Certification 101
🗓️ May 6 @ 11:30 AM (Online)
Learn how to get your business certified and unlock new contracting opportunities.
👉 Register Here

Scaling Up Your Construction Business: Profit & Sustainability Essentials
🗓️ May 14 @ 6:00 PM (Online)
Build a strong, profitable, and sustainable construction business for the long haul.
👉 Register Here

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

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👑 Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC) Events

Pitch & Connect: Building Business Relationships
🗓️ 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!
👉 Register Here

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

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🔔 Stay connected. Stay empowered. See you online!

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
📅 Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
🎟 Free to attend!

Why Attend?
✅ Share your 60-second business pitch
✅ Build powerful new relationships
✅ Network with women entrepreneurs across Ohio
✅ 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)

🔗 Reserve your spot today! Registration is open.

Let’s move forward — together!

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:

🔧 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

📍 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

🛠️ Subcontracting Opportunities Available In:

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

📩 Request Bid Documents or Submit Quotes To:

Adam Kohler – 📧 adamk@kenmorecompanies.com | ☎️ 330-762-9373 | 📠 Fax: 330-762-2135

🛠️ Assistance in bonding, insurance, or mentoring is available upon request.

📍 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

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:
🦓 Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
🦒 The Wilds
💦 Zoombezi Bay
⛳ Safari Golf Club

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

📅 Advance registration is required by May 16.
🔗 Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/w4x7dRswBz

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

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

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📢 Contracting Opportunities Include:
🏢 Easton Office Renovations – Bids due May 13
🛫 Passenger Boarding Bridges – Now open
🧾 Professional Engineering Services – Bids due April 24
🔧 General Home Repair Services – Bids due May 28
📑 Process Server Services – Bids due May 21
🏘️ Brentnell Pointe & Lofts at 40 Long – Project details inside

📌 Read the complete Bid Board here: https://bit.ly/4jeY57g

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🎓 OBDC Business Training

🛡️ Bonding & Insurance for Construction Companies
📅 April 16 | 11:30 AM
🎓 Presented by Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates

💰 Funding HER Future: Capital for Women-Owned Businesses
📅 April 22 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
💬 Learn about funding, banking, and building business credit

📍 Register now at: OHBDC.org

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📰 Must-Reads on OhioMBE.com:

• “Why I’m Canceling My NAACP Membership”
• “Ohio Women’s Chamber Launches Statewide Survey”
• “Who Is Fighting for Black Business Inclusion?”
• “Procurement Fair & Business Success Summit Recap”
• “Columbus City Schools Continues to Fail LEDE Vendors”

📢 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

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.

📅 Proposal Deadline: May 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM EDT
📬 Written Questions Due: April 29, 2025, by 12:00 PM

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

📞 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

The OBDC Construction Academy is hosting a free online workshop, “Bonding & 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.

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

💻 This online class is free and open to all.

📅 Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
🕒 Time: 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Online

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

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

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

🛠️ Pre-Bid Meeting: Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM (on-site)
📄 Documents Available: Starting April 11, 2025 at https://cmhanet.com/Business/ConstructionContracts or at www.dcplanroom.com

💼 Requirements:
✅ 5% Bid Bond
✅ Davis-Bacon Act Compliance
✅ Section 3 Participation (10%)
✅ MBE Goal (20%)

📦 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

The OBDC Construction Academy will present an online class titled “How to Prepare Your Quote: Winning the Job” on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM. This workshop is designed for construction professionals, small business owners, and subcontractors looking to improve their bidding success and profitability.

The class will be led by Daniel Odion, PE, PMP, who will share real-world strategies and tips to help participants create clear, competitive, and compelling quotes.

This event is part of OBDC’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses grow through practical education and training.

• 💻 Online Format – Join from Anywhere
• 🎟️ Free for OBDC Members | $10 for Non-members

Register now at OHBDC.org – Space is limited!