Empire State Development announces "Sail-Thru Summer" for MWBEs

NY News - Published Jul 23, 2024

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has announced that Empire State Development (ESD) is launching a "Sail-Thru Summer" initiative for prospective minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), which will entail enhanced assistance for businesses seeking to complete and submit applications to the State for MWBE certification.

The initiative is in collaboration with local Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EACs) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which have been given authorization to provide free support in navigating the process of making application to ESD's Division of Minority and Women's Business Enterprise Development (DMWBD). This free support will last through August 30th, 2024. With the assistance of experts at the EACs and SBDCs, applicants can expect a quicker process without guessing at whether or not their application is complete and in good order. A press release from ESD states that with EAC or SBDC assistance, applicants can expect a turnaround time in "as few as 90 days."

"By streamlining the MWBE certification process [...] we're actively empowering minority and women-owned businesses to play a larger role in our state's economic growth and success," said Governor Hochul in a statement.

Read the press release from ESD (with links for finding local EACs and SBDCs) at https://esd.ny.gov/esd-media-center/press-releases/governor-hochul-unveils-sail-thru-summer-initiative-promote-mwbe.