Rep. Alicia Reece, who is on the Small Business and Economic Development Committee.

Bill will Streamline Minority Business Certification Process

COLUMBUS – State Representative Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) announced today that she will introduce legislation to streamline the certification process for minority owned businesses.  Her bill will create a one stop statewide certification that can be utilized by state and local municipalities as well as private sector businesses.

In addition to state set-aside goals, many local municipalities maintain goals of contracting a certain percentage of business to minority owned businesses. However, many of these municipalities have their own certification processes, adding layers of paperwork, duplication, and confusion for business owners. This bill will cut red tape by creating one central location for the certification required for these companies to bid on certain projects.

"As we look at ways to cut red tape and remove barriers to doing business in Ohio, we must look at the multiple certification processes. Minority businesses spend more time filling out certification paperwork than getting business and creating jobs," said Rep. Alicia Reece, who is on the Small Business and Economic Development Committee.

Rep. Alicia Reece will introduce her legislation early next month.

Rep. Alicia Reece represents the 33^rd Ohio House District.  The district includes a large part of Cincinnati, as well as Deer Park, Elmwood, Golf Manor, Norwood, Silverton, St. Bernard and parts of Columbia, Springfield, and Sycamore Townships.