As of June 28, 2021, there are 11,236 businesses certified for the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program. Of these thousands, 205 are located in Bushwick zip codes (11206, 11207, 11221 and 11237.)

According to data released by the Department of Small Business Services, 170 Bushwick businesses are certified for the Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, of which 109 are Black-owned, 40 Hispanic-owned and 21 Asian-owned. In addition, 91 Bushwick businesses are certified for the Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Program and 56 are certified for both the MBE and WBE programs.

These businesses span many industries, from security to construction, and provide a wide range of services, including prenatal care, motivational speaking and martial arts classes.

The Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development was established by Article 15-A of the Executive Law in 1988. In 2005, the number of businesses certified with the M/WBE Program increased from 700 to over 3,500 after Local Law 129 “established participation goals for minority and women-owned business on City contracts.”

Businesses in the program are listed in an online directory and receive improved access to government contracting opportunities. The application for the program is free. To be eligible, businesses must have been in operation for at least one year and be located in or have a significant presence in the city. They must also be at least 51 percent owned, operated, and controlled by women or members of minority groups who are citizens or permanent residents.

Top image by Alex Simpson via Unsplash

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