PROGRAM/SERVICES
From certification and compliance assistance to funding resources and business referrals, TSMSDC’s professional staff is available to help connect your company with a distinctive range of business solutions.
Our mission of connecting minority-owned businesses that supply quality goods and services and major corporations and public sector entities that need those services is accomplished through a variety of programs and services, including, but not limited to:
- MBE Certification
- Business Consortium Fund
- MBE Referral / Sourcing
- Networking Opportunities
- Training and Assistance
- Recognition
- Bid Opportunities
Through its certification process, TSMSDC verifies that a business is at least 51% ethnic minority-owned, operated and managed by minority group members.
Minority group members are U.S. Citizens who are African-American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American and Asian-India Americans. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such minority individuals or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. Further, those minority group members control the management and daily business operations.
To begin the certification process, simply complete an an application and submit the required documentation. The Council’s Certification Committee will conduct an extensive review and on-site visit, with approval/disapproval by the Board of Directors. There are approximately 300 minority owned businesses that have been certified by TSMSDC.
The Business Consortium Fund, Inc. (BCF), together with its subsidiaries and strategic partners, provides access to capital through a variety of financial products and services to Minority Businesses Enterprises (MBE’s) certified by an TSMSDC and which have a supplier/vendor relationship with a corporate member of the NMSDC or TSMSDC. Created by the NMSDC in 1984 and funded by NMSDC corporate members, the BCF’s mission is to support the capital needs of MBE’s to facilitate their participation in the American economy.
The BCF is a unique provider of capital to MBE’s and relies on the participation and coordination of a vast network of partners to achieve its mission. These partners include, the NMSDC, TSMSDC, depository and non-depository lenders, public and private financial institutions, and corporate America, all of which support the BCF’s mission.
The BCF and/or its subsidiaries and strategic partners provide access to a wide range of products and services, including:
Contract/Purchase Order Financing, Accounts Receivables and Inventory Financing, Term Loans, Equipment Financing, Long Term Debt, Subordinated Debt, Equity, Business and Financial Advisory Services, and Specialized Financing.
Corporate Members can contact TSMSDC when they are looking for a referral to a certified MBE. To conduct a search for a certified MBE, contact TSMSDC via phone - 502-625-0159 or e-mail. You may also search online by logging into your account.
Our annual Program of Work includes a variety of events — educational and motivational — that bring mainstream and minority businesses together for relationship building and business opportunities. Our most popular networking activities include the Business Opportunity Fair, Buyer-Seller Networking Classic, an the Annual Achievement Awards and Meeting.
Corporate Members
As an advocate of diversity in business activity, TSMSDC works with our corporate members to help them formulate and track their supplier diversity programs which will benefit a corporation’s business needs, short and long term goals and bottom-line which creates a stronger economic fabric for our area through stronger minority businesses.
Minority Business Enterprises
We also offer referrals and assistance to our MBE’s to help them successfully grow their business, form strategic alliances and partnerships, and become stronger, more viable organizations. Assistance for minority businesses is also available through a variety of area service providers. Links to some of these providers can be found by clicking here.
In Addition, TSMSDC offers partial scholarships for MBEs to attend executive training sessions at the Kellogg School of Business, Tuck School of Business, and the School of Business at the University of Wisconsin.
As the region's pre-eminent minority business development organization, our recognition program is highly sought after. We offer both local and national recognition for MBE’s and Corporate Members. Our local awards are presented each year at our Achievement Awards.
Check out the Outlook on Opportunities to see the latest bidding requests received from our corporate members. TSMSDC Corporate Members can submit bid opportunities to TSMSDC, or through the on-line e-procurement portal.
