Overview of Certification
Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency, administers the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) state certification program. The MWBE program is designed to assist the growth and development of businesses owned and controlled by women and minorities. An important activity of the program is to increase the participation of those businesses in New York State procurement opportunities.
Once certified, a company is officially recognized by all State agencies and most authorities as a bona fide minority- or women-owned business enterprise. Certified companies are listed in the "Directory of Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises" which is used by State agencies public authorities, federal government, and major corporations.
A number of State programs are available exclusively for, or targeted to, certified minority- and women-owned businesses in the areas of financing, bonding, education, training and technical assistance.
Certification Application
*Certification applications can only be completed and submitted in English at this time.
Ownership must be real, substantial and continuing. The applicant must have and exercise the authority to independently control the business decisions of the enterprise. The business enterprise must demonstrate that it is an independent, continuing entity which has been actively seeking contracts or orders and regularly and actively performing business activities. Generally, the business should have been in operation for at least one year.
It is recognized and acknowledged that the information contained in the Application is given under oath and that any misrepresentation may be grounds for denial of certification, revocation of certification, not awarding or terminating any contracts which may be awarded the Applicant by the State of New York. In addition, Applicant further understands that any misrepresentation made in this Application is subject to both civil and criminal laws of the State of New York.
