All minority, veteran and women owned businesses that are interested in doing business with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government will have to be certified by a credible and recognized certifying agency.
The certification process varies by certifying entity. General requirements include the submission of an application, financial documents and a site visit to be conducted by the certifying agency.
Minority and woman owned business certification
Certification is a review process designed to ensure that all minority, veteran and women owned businesses are:
- Fifty-one percent or more owned, controlled, operated and managed by a minority, veteran or woman with U.S. or permanent citizenship
- Belongs to one of the following minority groups:
- African-American
- Hispanic-American
- Asian-American/Pacific Islander
- Native-American/Native Alaskan
- Non-Minority female
Certification agencies
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification
Kentucky's Minority and Women Business Enterprise Certification
Tri-State Minority Supplier Diversity Council (TSMSDC)
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8a Certification Program
Veteran-owned business certification
A veteran-owned small business or a service disabled veteran-owned business is a business that:
- Is fifty-one percent or more owned, controlled, operated and managed by a veteran or a service-disabled veteran who served on active duty with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard.
- Is certified by the Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
Veteran-owned small businesses and service disabled veteran owned businesses that are interested in doing business with the city must be certified by the Center for Verification and Evaluation through the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Certification agencies
Benefits of certification
- Large companies and most governmental entities prefer doing business with certified businesses.
- It is required on most state and federal bids.
- Many certifying agencies also provide:
- networking opportunities;
- small business development; and
- conferences and connections to many other entities looking for certified MWBE's.
Register as a vendor
Once your business becomes a certified minority, veteran and woman owned business, please register through our vendor portal.
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200 E. Main St. Lexington, KYMinority Business Enterprise Program -
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sherita Miller, Minority Business Enterprise Liaison
- (859) 258-3320
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