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Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2021

2021

Certifying My Business as a Kentucky Minority & Woman-Owned Business

Chris Cribbs, State Specialist for Entrepreneurship

There are a number of minority and women-owned businesses in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that are missing out on critical assistance by not certifying their businesses as a Kentucky Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). Certification will provide assistance in growing a business, expanding a business, competing for work in Kentucky, and competing for work in states outside of Kentucky. Certification is meant to help level the playing field for minority and women-owned businesses.

To note, government institutions, universities, school systems, and major corporations have implemented Supplier Diversity Programs. These programs establish goals for the company or organization to award a percentage of their business to minority and woman-owned businesses.

• What are the requirements to be certified? According to the Kentucky Minority Women Business Certification Program, certification requires:
• The business must be 51% majority owned by women or racial or ethnic minority group members who are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents.
• The current racial or ethnic minority and women owners:
• must have owned and operated the business for at least one full year.
• must have filed a federal business tax return consisting of one full year.
• The business:

• The business:
• must be independently owned and operated and located in the United States.
• must have been continuously operating for at least one year.
• An out-of-state business:
• must be currently certified by its home state.
• must have a physical onsite review conducted by its home state within the last three years.

Where may I find an application and instructions? Kentucky Minority & Women Business Certification Program webpage: https://mwbe.ky.gov/Pages/appapproval.aspx

What supporting documents maybe required? A business entity submits an application, along with the necessary supporting documentation below:

Where do I submit my application and supporting documentation?

Submit scanned PDFs to finance.mwbe@ky.gov

If you’re going to include documents, these are the ones required with the application. We would prefer that all or none are included, rather than picking out specific documents to list. I have listed those documents required below.

What happens after I have submitted my completed application and documents?

• The time between completed application and owner interview is generally 120-180 days once the application is complete and all documentation has been received by the agency.
• An interview with the program eligible owner(s) via virtually or via telephone (No onsite interviews, due to the Covid-19 pandemic).
• Inspection of documents and a review of equipment.
• The Kentucky Business Certification Committee will receive recommendations from the MWBE staff.
• Kentucky Business Certification Committee will ○ Approve – good for 3-years w/required annual and 3-year updates or
• o Defer – additional information is required or
• o Deny – option to appeal or reapply at a later date
• Proof of certification by governmental entities
• Copies of certification denials, decertification and appeal decisions
• Proof of racial/ethnic minority or female status for each owner claiming racial/ethnic minority or female status
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or Permanent Resident status for each owner claiming racial/ethnic minority or female status
• Documents indicating business entity status
• Resumes or Curriculum Vitae for each owner claiming female or racial/ethnic minority status
• Proof of contributions used to acquire ownership for each owner claiming female or racial/ethnic minority status
• Proof of any transfers of assets to/from your business and/or to/from any of its owners over the past 3 years
• Annual salaries, owner draws, owner distributions, shareholder distributions and bonuses for all owners, controlling members, officers, managers and directors for the previous year
• List of all employees, job titles, and dates of employment Where do I submit my application and supporting documentation?
• List of all equipment (including office equipment) owned, leased or otherwise made accessible to the business Submit scanned PDFs to finance.mwbe@ky.gov

If the Kentucky Business Certification Committee denies your application, you may file an appeal within 30 days of the denial.

Who do I contact with questions? You may contact the Kentucky Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Call 502-564-8099 or email finance.mwbe@ky.gov

Resource

- Minority and women business enterprise certification program. (n.d.). Retrieved February 08, 2021, from https://mwbe.ky.gov/Pages/eligible.aspx

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM

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Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating. 2020

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