Arkansas Department of Commerce certifies 50 businesses as minority- and women-owned in 2023

In 2023, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) certified 50 businesses as minority- and women-owned business enterprises through the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Program.

These 50 businesses bring the total number of Arkansas businesses that have received the MWBE certification to 335.

“Congratulations to the Arkansas businesses that achieved this certification in 2023,” said Esperanza Massana Crane, director of AEDC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division. “The MWBE certification provides a wide range of benefits for businesses that will set them apart in a competitive landscape, and we hope that this will open the door for future opportunities for these companies.”

MWBE-certified businesses receive access to a statewide network of support services, including workshops, B2B networking, and notification of bid opportunities, as well as opportunities to do business with local, state, and federal governments; higher education institutions; lending institutions; and the private sector.

The number of businesses in 2023 rose from 34 certifications in 2022.

Businesses that apply for the MWBE Certification Program are evaluated in a review process that ensures that each business is owned, controlled, and operated by the applicants and that each business meets the eligibility criteria of the program. AEDC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division administers the MWBE Certification Program.

View the full list of businesses in the MWBE Certification Program here. Learn how to get certified through the MWBE Certification program here.