Business Certification
Effective March 1, 2017, the City of Memphis began offering FREE in-house certification. Vendors interested in participating in the City of Memphis’ Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs as a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), woman-owned business enterprise (WBE), or small business enterprise (SBE) must register with the Office of Business Diversity & Compliance. There is no fee to apply to participate in the City’s EBO and/or SBE programs.
The City of Memphis is the primary certifying agency for the City of Memphis and all City-funded projects. SMWBE certification with the City of Memphis is FREE. If you do not have a current certification with another agency, you may apply for the City Of Memphis in-house certification. Once certified, you may register your business to be included on the City registry as a SMWBE.
Types of Certifications
SBE
Small Business Enterprise
MBE
Minority Business Enterprise
WBE
Women-Owned Business Enterprise
Program Qualifications
At a glance.
Equal Business Opportunity (EBO: MBE/WBE)
Business Location
Shelby, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, Tunica, Crittenden, Fayette, or Tipton counties
Ownership
Majority Owner must be one of the following ethnic origins: African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or Caucasian Female
Business License
Firm must have Shelby County and State of Tennessee business licenses
Firm must have Shelby County and State of Tennessee business licenses
Firm must have Shelby County and State of Tennessee business licenses
Taxes
Proof of Shelby County Personal Property Taxes and all other necessary local business operational taxes inherit to business in Shelby County are appropriately paid
Size Threshold
Sales that exceed the average sales for the industry for three (3) consecutive years using SBA standards
Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
Business Location
Principal office must be located in the City of Memphis
Ownership
Firm must be owned by a resident of Shelby, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, Tunica, Crittenden, Fayette, or Tipton counties
Business License
Firm must have Shelby County and State of Tennessee business licenses
Firm must have Shelby County and State of Tennessee business licenses
Firm must have Shelby County and State of Tennessee business licenses
Taxes
Proof of Shelby County Personal Property Taxes and all other necessary local business operational taxes inherit to business in Shelby County are appropriately paid
Size Threshold
Principal owners net worth cannot exceed $1.32 million, excluding primary residence and the business for which he/she is seeking SBE certification from the city
Reciprocal
Certification
If your business has a current certification with another certifying agency, you may apply for reciprocal certification with the City of Memphis and be included on our SMWBE vendor registry. Your registration with the City Of Memphis allows your business to be included on the City registry as a SMWBE.
Agencies Accepted by Our Office
To qualify for REGISTRATION through reciprocity, you must be certified by one of the following certification agencies:
MMBC
Uniform Certification Agency (UCA)
Accepted: MBE/SBE/WBE
TSMSDC
Tri-State Minority Supplier Development Council Metro Center
Accepted: MBE
MSCAA
Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority
Accepted: DBE
SHELBY COUNTY EOC
Shelby County Government
EOC
Accepted: LOSB/MBE/WBE
STATE OF TENNESSEE
State of Tennessee
Accepted: SBE/MBE/WBE