Cincinnati Metro, SBA Partner to Bolster Businesses During Black History Month

Cincinnati Metro and the Small Business Administration (SBA) have entered a strategic partnership focused on bolstering regional small businesses. The initiative is aimed at connecting local XBE businesses—minority, women, veteran, and disability-owned small businesses—with opportunities at Metro and to foster new partnerships with a diverse array of businesses across the region. There will be $500 million in procurement opportunities available through Metro over the next three years.

“It’s important to us that we continue our efforts of strengthening our commitment to inclusion and social equity while growing our diverse vendor partnerships,” said Darryl Haley, Metro CEO and general manager. “In 2023, we doubled our contracts with XBE businesses from the previous year to $8.4 million and we remain intentional and steadfast in continuing that trend in 2024 and beyond.”

“The SBA Central and Southern Ohio District office is honored to sign this Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority/Metro,” said District Director Everett Woodel. “This agreement further solidifies our regional partnership to assist and to boost regional small business contracting opportunities.”

Interested businesses and organizations can learn more about partnerships and business opportunities with Metro here.