Happy New Year!
By Ronda Watson Barber – Publisher
Happy New Year!
It’s hard to believe that OhioMBE will be celebrating eight years of publishing with the Jan. 15 issue. What a ride we have had. There have been growing pains. We have experienced our ups and downs as we actively work to improve the climate for MBE/FBEs to conduct and grow their businesses.
I want to continue to engage and empower the MBE/FBE community. The goal of OhioMBE will ALWAYS be to provide relevant information and news to increase the visibility of and capacity of small businesses. We will advocate for MBE/FBEs.
We have many milestones to celebrate. Through our media outlets and email blasts, we have established a powerful niche in communicating to small businesses and providing them with contracting opportunities.
We host monthly OhioMBE Procurement Fairs to provide access to MBE/FBEs to make one-on-one connections with organizations. Businesses travel across the state to participate. We are actively assisting small businesses get contracts.
We also host the annual OhioMBE Awards to recognize outstanding small businesses and dedicated advocates. The OhioMBE Awards presents the Frank W. Watson Scholarship to local students to assist them with post-secondary expenses.
On a regular basis, we receive accolades from elected officials, procurement officers, and minority owned businesses for our leadership is assisting and speaking out on issues of importance. Our readers are appreciative of OhioMBE’s efforts to inform and educate MBEs. I believe the primary role of a newspaper is to inform the public about the activities of its government, both good and bad. I take this responsibility seriously.
Team OhioMBE looks forward to 2017. We will continue to advocate and promote small and minority owned businesses. We will continue to work with organizations to foster a positive climate for economic development. We will also continue to inform our readers about issues of importance to their enterprises.
The 912 Group and its media outlets wish you happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year.
New Year, New Goals, New Successes! Happy New Year!
Just my thoughts…rwb
This appeared in OhioMBE – Jan 1, 2017
