Financial and Bonding Assistance: Exclusive access to certain loan and bond programs, which can provide access to capital and bonding for firms that may not qualify for traditional lending or bonding, including:.

Opportunity to compete for contracts from state agencies, boards, commissions, and universities, which must meet annual EDGE spending goals.Certified businesses are listed in a searchable database.Business owner’s long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society.Ĭertified EDGE program participants are eligible for contract assistance, financial and bonding assistance, and management and technical assistance.Social disadvantage for the EDGE program: Be at least 51 percent owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.Have been in business for at least one year prior to applying.Economic disadvantage is based primarily on the owner’s personal net worth. A business may qualify for EDGE certification if its owner is both socially and economically disadvantaged or if the business is located in a qualified census tract and the owner is economically disadvantaged.

Check procurement and construction bid announcementsĪn EDGE-certified business must be owned and controlled by a U.S.

Locate EDGE-certified businesses and download certifications.

The state of Ohio developed the program because it recognizes the need to encourage, nurture, and support the growth of economically and socially disadvantaged businesses to foster their development and increase the number of qualified competitors in the marketplace. The EDGE program is designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged businesses in obtaining state government contracts in the following areas: construction, architecture, and engineering professional services goods and services and information technology services.

Ap| Agency Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity Program (EDGE)

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