Empowering Minority Businesses: Ohio MBDA Center

Those are the goals of the Ohio Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), headquartered at the Greater Cleveland Partnership in Cleveland.

Founded in 1969 by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the MBDA’s mission is to foster the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned U.S. businesses.

The Ohio MBDA was created in 2021, when GCP was awarded a five-year, $1.9 million federal grant to create the center, which also has locations in central and southern Ohio.

The Ohio MBDA works to connect Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) across the state that have revenues greater than $500,000 to state-wide minority business-related programs. The center also focuses on developing an infrastructure to accelerate the growth of those companies, and connecting these businesses to one another as a convener.

Since 2021, the Ohio center has worked with 260 clients.

Two of their greatest success stories from 2023 not only paired MBEs with capital – but also forged lucrative partnerships between members.

Case in point: The MBDA brought together Akron-based SAF, Inc., construction company and Cleveland minority-owned contractor Alternalite Electric in 2023 to partner on what turned out to be a $3.5M contract from NOACA and ODOT to install EV charging stations across Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties.

The project consists of the design and installation of level 2 and level 3 DCFC electrical vehicle charging stations, and related work, at forty-seven sites.

“Opportunities such as this don’t come by often for companies like ours. Minority contractors face many roadblocks,” Ike Samson-Akpan, Sr., President, and founder of SAF, Inc., construction company, told GCP.

The Ohio MBDA played a significant role in the NOACA-ODOT contract. It began by connecting the firms: SAF and subcontractor Alternalite, founded by Jose and Trudy Ramos, had not worked together before. Beyond that, the center assisted with the RFP process – it was reissued twice, leading SAF to have to resubmit twice. Business Advisor Andrea Boyd also advocated for the firms with NOACA. It wasn’t easy – but ultimately, their bid was successful.

“This is a story of MBEs who chose not to give up on a project they wanted and a business center that chose to advocate on behalf of their clients. What you truly want in life is not always easy and may come with challenges and unexpected hurdles,” says Boyd.

MBDA leveled the playing field, explains Samson-Akpan, who currently has 34 employees at SAF.

“I’ll be honest with you, I was kind of shocked when we got selected because businesses of our size, and minority-owned businesses, don’t have all the connections. It’s not always fair.”

The opportunity presented by MBDA can help business push through barriers, he says. “All we ask for is that opportunity.”

The Ohio MBDA was also instrumental in a nearly half-billion-dollar deal last year with the United States Army.

Clemons-Vazquez JV – comprised of Dayton-based Clemons Construction Co., Inc., a Black and veteran-owned small business established in 2005, and Vazquez Commercial Contracting LLC, a Hispanic-owned firm founded in Kansas City, Mo., in 2008, with additional offices in Cincinnati and Clarksville, Tenn. – was awarded a five-year, $495 million contract from the U.S. Army and the Department of Public Works for construction and renovation at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

It would not have happened without the assistance of the Ohio MBDA – and a fortuitous meeting.

“The Ohio MBDA has been crucial to my business – and this project,” Kevin Clemons, CEO of Clemons Construction Company, explained to GCP. “Director Marco Grgurevic invited me to speak at an event in Cleveland. That’s where I met the group from Vazquez and we got talking and connected afterwards. I realized working with them would broaden opportunity.”

The contract will have a major impact on both the firms involved and other MBEs, says Grgurevic.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the fact that our clients saw the value in combining their forces and creating a joint venture based on their complimentary services. This significant contract will not only be life-changing to both parties but will also positively impact other MBEs in our Ohio MBDA network statewide.”

“The MBDA helps connect,” adds Clemons. “I’ve worked for multiple companies doing the kind of work I’ve done, but you don’t always know the right person until you go through a program like MBDA. It can help you connect the dots.”

“The program works.”

These are just a few powerful examples of the type of work the Ohio MBDA does every day. They are currently working to connect clients with the Cleveland Airport, Columbus Airport, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Guardians, and the Brent Spence Bridge project in Cincinnati.

“Given we are in one of the largest chambers, what GCP does well is we are conveners, we bring people together for a greater cause. We do that with minority businesses of scale and we give them access to large-scale projects,” explains Boyd.

“We use our resources and network and get them opportunity, whatever it might be. We don’t just speak to project managers; we talk to clients about teaming together. It’s important to build capacity together. What you may be lacking, you can find that in another company, and you can build your capacity, that way – you have doubled your size.”

“We are the intermediary to connect people together with opportunity – and other clients.”

Are you an MBE? Learn more about the Ohio MBDA can help your business grow by visiting: ohiombdabusinesscenter.com