DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

March 2008

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The Wisconsin Department of Commerce recently named E. Aggo Akyea to be its new director of the Bureau of Minority Business Development. Akyea had most recently been the minority business enterprise purchasing coordinator for WisDOT.

The bureau fosters the growth of minority businesses in Wisconsin through a variety of services to existing and new businesses and community groups:

• The bureau offers financial consulting and technical assistance to individuals looking to create, buy or expand a business.
• Commerce maintains a variety of financial programs to support minority businesses, including the Minority Business Development Loan program, the Early Planning Grant program and the Entrepreneurial Training Grant program.
• The department certifies minority business enterprise (MBE) firms in Wisconsin and maintains an on-line directory of certified firms. The state of Wisconsin has a statutory goal to purchase 5% of all goods and services each year from MBE firms. (MBE certification is a separate process from disadvantaged business enterprise certification.)
• The bureau also organizes the annual Marketplace event each fall to highlight key issues and provide networking opportunities for minority businesses.