Supplier Diversity

If you are a Minority, Woman, or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE), we are here for you! The Department of Economic Development works with businesses from pre start-up phase to expansion and everything in between.  We are proud to focus efforts in historically disinvested neighborhoods demanding new opportunity, and nearly half of the clients who are served through our department’s technical assistance and small business loan programs are minority- or women-owned businesses.

Are you eligible for Business Enterprise Certification?

Certifying your business as MWDBE allows you to identify your ownership status for corporate entities and municipalities, states, and the federal government who strive to create a level playing field for historically underutilized businesses for purchasing opportunities. Louisville Metro Government has established a certification program within the Human Relations Commission that certifies businesses and maintains a public directory of those businesses for the Department of Purchasing and all Metro Government authorized buyers to reference for inclusive purchasing practices.

Visit the Human Relations Commission to pre-qualify and certify your business, and Louisville Metro’s Purchasing office to register your business to receive notifications of bid opportunities for Metro projects.

Assistance for all stages of business

We're ready to assist you in all stages of business development. Whether you are a sole proprietor, a start-up, or an established business with multiple employees, you can receive one-on-one assistance. In coordination with our community small business resource providers, we can help you develop business and financial plans, receive mentoring from experienced business owners, and identify potential sources of financial assistance. 

Find your stage of business:

• Idea – Be guided through developing your business plan.
• Launch and grow – With a business plan in place, you are ready to register your business and connect with small business resource providers.
• Finance – Find available financing, including crowd funding opportunities, micro loans and the city’s METCO loan program.
• Locate – Find listed properties or get assistance from organizations who specialize in community or commercial development.
• Innovate or decline – Your business may be at the point at which you want to widen your market, change your service delivery, or start succession planning.

Louisville Metro’s Business Accelerator loan is one of several METCO loan programs, and is designed specifically for businesses located in west Louisville to help reduce banking or credit barriers for business owners.

Community Partners

We work with other partners focused on helping minority-owned businesses build wealth through property and business ownership, create jobs, and contribute to Louisville’s economy.

OneWest

Louisville Urban League

Black Business Association

West Louisville Dream Team

NOIR Black Chamber of Commerce

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

Louisville Independent Business Alliance

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