===== PAGE 1 ===== Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 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:
Image
- 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 ===== PAGE 2 ===== What supporting documents maybe required? A business entity submits an application, along with the necessary supporting documentation below: 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. • 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 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 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