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The Columbus Chamber is your one-stop for information. Get started with our new, interactive Business Resource tool. Click on the categories below to find hundreds of business-critical resources from governmental entities and nonprofits. Looking for more? Connect with 2,000 businesses in our member directory.
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Minority/Diversity
Business Advancement
Department of Administrative Services Equal Opportunity Division
The mission of the Equal Opportunity Division is to advocate for Ohio's minority and socially disadvantaged businesses, align them with state government contract and procurement opportunities and to oversee and monitor the administration of Ohio's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs.
Phone: (614) 466-8380 -
Minority/Diversity
Business Advancement
Asian American Commerce Group
The purpose of the Asian American Commerce group (AACG) is to foster the advancement and create synergy within the Asian American community in Ohio and the global business markets. We provide a forum for the Asian American business community through consulting, networking, and unification.
Email: sraj@aacg.com
Phone: (614) 888-0040 -
Minority/Diversity
Business Advancement
Entrepreneurship
South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council
Our purpose is to Certify, Develop, and Connect. We grow and foster relationships between minority business enterprises, corporations, and government entities. Our purpose is to grow value-driven partnerships between our certified MBEs and Corporate Members.
Our focus is to assist the development and maintenance of effective corporate supplier diversity programs. Our most important function is to connect corporate purchasing and procurement departments with minority business enterprises. Results driven and strategic in our efforts, we bring unparalleled value to our membership base.
Phone: (614) 225-6959 -
Minority/Diversity
Business Advancement
Ohio River Valley Women's Business Council
The Ohio River Valley provides a national, premier WBENC certification to women owned companies in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Major corporations and government agencies utilize the WBENC organization as a clearinghouse for women suppliers seeking procurement opportunities. Currently, over 795 women owned companies are certified through our region:
- Ohio - 438 Women Companies
- Kentucky - 72 Women Companies
- West Virginia - 12 Women Companies
Our mission is to advance inclusion and growth of Women Business Enterprises in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia through:
- A reputable certification program
- Strong linkages with private and public sector partners
- Superior customer service interface
Phone: (513) 559-5447 -
Minority/Diversity
Business Advancement
WIPP- Women Impacting Public Policy
Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc. (WIPP) is a national nonpartisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women and minorities in business in the legislative processes of our nation, creating economic opportunities and building bridges and alliances to other small business organizations. Through WIPP, our collective voice makes a powerful impact on Capitol Hill and with the Administration.
Phone: (415) 434-4314 -
Business Advancement
Government Contacts
Government Contractor Business Resources
Government Contractor Business Resources (GCBR) exists to mentor small and medium size businesses. What we can do is give you that key insight into what you need to do now, how to do it efficiently without a mountain of bureaucracy, so that you can keep your focus on growing the business rather than running it. We also give seminars that help you quickly grasp the depth and breadth of key elements of what it takes to be a responsible government contractor.
Email: info@gcbr-sei.com -
Business Advancement
Government Contacts
Business Partner Network
The Business Partner Network (BPN) is the single source for vendor data for the Federal Government. The BPN is a search mechanism that provides unprecedented views into several key data bases across Federal Agencies.
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Business Advancement
Government Contacts
ODOT Office of Contracts
Website that houses information about doing business with the Ohio Department of Transportation
Phone: (614) 466-7010 -
Business Advancement
Government Contacts
Business Filings- Ohio Secretary of State
Access to the Uniform Commercial Code, Register your Business Name, find forms and fees for the State of Ohio.
Email: info@sos.state.oh.us
Phone: (877) 767-3453 -
Finance/Capital
Business Advancement
Economic & Community Development Institute
The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit economic development organization located in Columbus, Ohio. ECDI’s mission is to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change.
Who can apply? Small businessesCriteria: Can make loans up to $100,000 to anyone who goes through the underwriting process and is approved by the external loan review committee which consists of bankers, local entrepreneurs, and other professionals in the community.Contact: www.ecdi.org -
Cost of Doing Business
Finance/Capital
Business Advancement
Workforce
USDA Rural Development - Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans
The B&I program provides loan guarantees for expansion and preservation of jobs in rural areas.
Who can apply? A borrower may be a cooperative organization, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity organized and operated on a profit or nonprofit basis
Criteria: Business and industrial acquisitions when the loan will keep the business from closing, prevent the loss of employment opportunities, or provide expanded job opportunities; Business conversion, enlargement, repair, modernization, or development; Purchase and development of land, easements, rights-of-way, buildings, or facilities; Purchase of equipment, leasehold improvements, machinery, supplies, or inventory.
Review and Approval: The total amount of agency loans to one borrower must not exceed $10 million. The administrator may, at the administrator discretion, grant an exception to the $10 million limit for loans of $25 million under certain circumstances. The Secretary may approve guaranteed loans in excess of $25 million, up to $40 million, for rural cooperative organizations that process value-added agricultural commodities.
Contact: USDA Rural Development at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html