Do you know a minority business owner located in the Merrimack Valley, looking to grow their business through state and local contracting opportunities? 

The Minority Certification Cohort Program is designed to equip minority business owners with the education, accountability, and technical assistance needed to obtain their Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Minority Certification and strategize for Business Growth.

Learn more about the SDO certification here: https://www.mass.gov/certification-program-for-sdo 

The program provides 12 weeks of intensive support that includes hybrid cohort learning sessions with experts, access to tools, insights, and resources for small business advancement plus technical assistance from Merrimack Valley Strong Business experts and specialists. 

If you know of any small business owners who might benefit from a program like this, located in the Merrimack Valley and can prove ownership and independent control of at least 51% of the company, please share with them and encourage them to apply for the program here: https://bit.ly/mwbe2023. 

Applications close on August 8^th and the program starts September 12th.

Who is this program for? 

– Small business owners located in the Merrimack Valley communities of Lawrence, Methuen, or Haverhill

– Have been in business for at least 3 years or more

– US Citizen 

– Can prove ownership and independent control of at least 51% of the company

-Operates in one of the following industries: Construction, Health & Wellness, Transportation, Event planning, Facilities/Maintenance, and Janitorial services.

What’s in it for the Business Owners? 

– SDO Certification: We’ll guide the participants through the certification process, enhancing their eligibility for lucrative government contracts. 

– Classroom Instruction: Participants will learn essential business strategies and contract insights from industry experts. 

– 1-to-1 Technical Assistance: Participants will receive tailored guidance to tackle their unique business challenges. 

– Peer Network: Participants will be able to engage with like-minded entrepreneurs, share experiences, and build valuable connections. 

– Resources: Participants will also be able to gain access to valuable tools, information, and resources to drive their business forward.