Women and Minority Business Enterprise (W/MBE) Small Business in Rural Areas (SBRA)

The Metropolitan Council operates two distinct small business development programs. One is the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program which is utilized for federally funded transit related projects and the other includes the Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) and Small Business in Rural Areas (SBRA) Programs which utilizes Public Facilities grants for environmental services related projects

The Metropolitan Council supports the planning and development of the region's environmental services infrastructure (wastewater treatment operations) through its use of a revolving loan fund established by the Environmental Protection Agency through the Public Facilities Authority. All Municipalities that receive this loan funding must comply with federal requirements concerning utilization of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and Small Businesses in Rural Areas (SBRA). These requirements are designed to encourage loan recipients and prime contractors to utilize M/WBEs and SBRAs whenever procurement opportunities occur (including small purchases).

This program confirms the Metropolitan Council's commitment to utilize businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in our procurement and contracting efforts.

The Metropolitan Council does not perform certification of businesses interested in obtaining the designation W/MBE or SBRA. The Metropolitan Council utilizes the external sources to confirm W/MBE and SBRA status.

Designated WBE, MBE and SBRA firms

All WBE and MBE firms must, as of the date bids are due, be:

A women or minority-owned business included on the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)/Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)/Metropolitan Council Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Directory; or
A women or minority-owned business certified by the United States Department of Transportation as a DBE; or
Certified by the State of Minnesota as a WBE or MBE; or
Certified by the federal Small Business Administration as a WBE or MBE.

SBRAs are self designating entities which reside in counties designated as rural counties by the SBA.

Current PFA Goals:: 11.5% WBE and 3.5 MBE%; 19% WBE and 3.5 MBE%; 8% WBE and 3.5% MBE; 8% W/MBE and 3.5 SBRA

For more information on the Council's W/MBE and SBRA programs, please contact the Office of Diversity at 651-602-1769.