The Feb. 16 OhioMBE Bid Board is live!

• Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) – Lawn Care Maintenance Services CLOSING SOON
  Locations: Colonial Hills, 795 Patterson Ave, Martin P. Lauer, Valley View
  Bid Date: February 18, 2026 • View bid notice
• Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) – Lawn Care Maintenance, Landscape Enhancements & Related Work CLOSING SOON
  Locations: William E. Fowler, 681 Payne Ave, Bon Sue Apartments, Saferstein Towers 1 & 2
  Bid Date: February 18, 2026 • View bid notice
• Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) – Lawn Care Maintenance, Landscape Enhancements & Related Work CLOSING SOON
  Locations: Edgewood Village (Phases I, II/III, IV, V)
  Bid Date: February 18, 2026 • View bid notice
• Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) – RFP: Snack & Beverage Vending Machines at Senior Hi-Rise Buildings CLOSING SOON
  Bid Date: February 19, 2026 • View RFP

February OhioMBE Procurement Fair

The February OhioMBE Procurement Fair will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and will be hosted by Kokosing Industrial at their Westerville offices.

This in-person event offers small business owners 15-minute, one-on-one meetings with public- and private-sector organizations committed to supplier diversity and inclusive contracting.

Confirmed participating organizations include:

• Kokosing Industrial
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Ruscilli Construction
• Ohio Department of Transportation
• City of Westerville
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
• City of Upper Arlington
• Metro Parks
• COTA
• Hensel Phelps
• State of Ohio

📍 Location: Kokosing Industrial, 6235 Westerville Road, Westerville, OH 43081

📝 Register: OhioMBEProcurementFairs.com

Find and share business, cultural, and community events across Ohio. Visit OhioDiversityNetworks.com for details and to submit your event.

• CAA Black History Tribute
  🗓️ February 17 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
  📍 Karamu House, 2355 E 89th St, Cleveland • $25–$65
  Embracing and strengthening business operations and relationships to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity in the Northeast Ohio construction industry.
• Community Clean-Up & Green-Up Day
  🗓️ February 21 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  📍 St. Paul AME Church, 1103 W. Spring Street, Lima • Free
  Litter clean-up along adopted roadway and church grounds, conservation demo with local experts, and community fellowship with refreshments, networking, and music.
• Aminah Day 2026
  🗓️ February 21 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  📍 The Kings Art Complex, 835 Mt Vernon Avenue, Columbus • Free
  Inspiration and storytelling workshops with themed projects inspired by Aminah Robinson. Supplies provided. Registration required.
• The OhioMBE Procurement Fair – Feb. 24 FEATURED
  🗓️ February 24 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  📍 Kokosing Industrial (Westerville), 6235 Westerville Rd, Westerville
  OhioMBE’s signature event connecting small business owners to supplier-diversity organizations through structured 15-minute appointments.
• SBA Cleveland – Reboot CJAG JMTC (In-Person)
  🗓️ February 25 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM • Free
  📍 1438 St. Route 534 SW, Building 2, Newton Falls, OH 44444
  Boots to Business entrepreneurial training for eligible Active-Duty service members (incl. Guard/Reserve), Veterans, and spouses. Authorized on-post access required.
• Preserving Your Legacy: Building Financial Power That Lasts FEATURED
  🗓️ February 25 | 11:30 AM • Free
  Black History Month Business Series — an online session on building strong banking relationships and financial structure to support long-term business sustainability and generational impact.

Share your event: Email jc@ohbdc.org and submit at OhioDiversityNetworks.com.

OBDC provides practical training, business development support, and contractor readiness programs to help small businesses grow and compete. Learn more at OHBDC.org.

• Certification 101: Understanding the Basics
  🗓️ Thursday, February 19, 2026
  📍 Online
  Learn what certification is, why it matters, and how to get started with programs such as MBE, WBE, DBE, EDGE, and more.
• Building Financial Power That Lasts
  🗓️ Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM EST
  📍 Online (Zoom)
  An educational session focused on building strong banking relationships and financial structure to support long-term business sustainability and generational impact.
• 🎯 Bidding vs. Estimating: 2-Part Construction Training Series
  🗓️ Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST
  📍 Online
  Learn the difference between estimating and bidding, how to calculate true project costs, and how to submit competitive bids that protect your profit.

Register: buytickets.at/OBDC

• Ohio Business Development Center Raises Concerns Over ODOT Outreach, Partner Treatment, and DBE Recertification Commitment
  Read more
• BWC Board considers 1% rate cut, aiming to deliver $10 million in savings for Ohio employers
  Read more
• Small Regional Business Enterprise (SRBE) Certification Now Open
  Read more
• Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece Releases 2025 “Report to the People”
  Read more

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merry&Black is live!

Celebrate Black history, culture, and everyday excellence with the Making Black History Everyday lined journal. Designed for reflection, planning, and daily intention, these journals create space to document ideas, goals, and moments that matter. They center our stories and affirm that Black history isn’t limited to a single month—it’s lived, built, and created every day.

📘 Purchase on Amazon

Promote your business, event, or service in the OhioMBE Bid Board Classifieds.

For rates and deadlines, email rbarber@ohiombe.com.