Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

For purposes of this program, an independent, state-based concern which is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by minority group member(s) who are U.S. citizen(s). The business must meet the following requirements:

1. The minority group member(s) ownership interest in the firm must be real, substantial and continuing. Such interest is characterized by:
1. Risk of loss/share of profit commensurate with the proportional ownership and
2. Receipt of the customary incidents of ownership, such as salary and/or intangible benefits.
2. The business must perform a useful business function according to custom and practice in the industry. For example, acting merely as a conduit of funds to a non-minority firm when that is unnecessary to accomplish the business transaction does not constitute a "useful business function according to custom and practice in the industry."

Minority Group Member

For purposes of this program, an individual who is at least ¼, or 25%, minimum (documentation to support claim of 25% would be required from applicant) of the following:

• African-Americans: A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Sub-Sahara Africa, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part.
• Hispanic-Americans: A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage (true-born meaning "authentically" or "genuinely" as per Webster), from any of the Spanish speaking regions of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean basin only.
• Native-Americans: A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).
• Asian-Pacific American: A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas, and who is regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part.
• Asian-Indian American: U.S. citizens whose origins are in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• Operate: To be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business.
• Own: To have possession of at least 51% of the business. Ownership is interpreted so as to ensure that the minority group member(s) enjoy the normal and customary incidents of ownership.