How to become RI Minority Certified Business

Do you want to be a RI CERTIFIED minority business owner? MBECO promotes the development of certified minority (MBE) and women-owned (WBE) business enterprises by facilitating their participation in Rhode Island's business and economic development opportunities. MBECO specifically services in certification, enforcement, business assistance and advocacy. Certification is a great marketing tool, used specifically to enhance your ability to do business in public markets. If you live in Rhode Island, go to the website below and if you qualify, it could help to build your income. Contact RI Minority Business Enterprise website @: http://www.mbe.ri.gov/ Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office One Capitol Hill 2nd Floor Providence, Rhode Island 02908 Contact/Resource: Charles C. Newton or Dorinda @ Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) - A small business concern which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least fifty-one (51%) of the stock of which is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals. "Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" are individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States the following groups are presummed to be both socially and economically disadvantaged:Members of a definable minority group means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is: Category Definitions Black All persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. Hispanic All persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian/Alaskan Native All persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America. Asian American All persons having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. Portuguese All persons of Portuguese, Brazilian or other Portuguese culture or origin regardless of race. Women Any female qualifies as a class of minority. Disadvantaged Members of other groups or other individuals, found to be economically and socially disadvantaged by the small Business Administration under Section 8 (a) of the Small business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. Chapter 637 (a)). Under Each Certification Category, Ownership Must Be Real, Substantial And Continuing. The Applicant Must Have And Exercise The Authority To Independently Control The Business Decisions Of The Enterprise

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Telephone, computer, printer, pen, paper, 3 years of financial information, 3 years of tax returns

1. Form that describes the purpose Go to website and download application forms
2. Fill out forms: Uniform Certification Aplication - Be sure you sign it on page 13 and have NOTARIZED on page 14. Personal Financial Statement. Other items required - 3 years of tax returns, principals resumes, bank signature card (or letter identifying persons authorized to conduct transactions, proof of identity (birth certificate, US Passport...), vehicle registration, COPY OF TRADE NAME FILED WITH TOWN/CITY. There are some other requirements, and they are all listed in the Supporting Documents form.
3. As an alternative you can call via telephone to get forms if you do not have a computor and printer.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you are registered in your town as a business ASAP, in some towns the council may only meet every 2 to 4 weeks.
• You can get the process started while you are waiting for some of the items, but it should be the supporting documents should be sent in as soon as possible.