SCORE services include: • One‑on‑one business mentoring (in person and online)
• Live and recorded webinars, interactive online courses, and local workshops • A large online library of templates, checklists, guides, articles, and videos
Minnesota has multiple SCORE chapters, with branches serving smaller communities. A list of SCORE offices and branches is in the Management Assistance, General section of the Resource Directory. WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Women's Business Centers (WBCs) are SBA‑supported centers that provide training, counseling, and other resources focused on women entrepreneurs and women‑owned businesses. They offer help with business planning, financing, management, and accessing government and corporate contracting opportunities. In Minnesota and neighboring states, the Women’s Business Development Center – Minnesota (WBDC‑MN) serves Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) with training, counseling, and certification support. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), through regional partners like WBDC‑Midwest, provides national WBE certification for majority women‑owned, controlled, and managed businesses in Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, South Dakota, and North Dakota. BUSINESS CERTIFICATION The Minnesota Small Business Certification Portal brings together several key certification programs in one online location: • Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP) – used primarily for federal transportation‑related (DBE) contracting. • Minnesota Department of Administration – Office of State Procurement / Office of Equity in Procurement – small business, targeted group, economically disadvantaged, and veteran‑owned certifications. • Central Certification (CERT) Program – a joint small business certification recognized by Hennepin County, Ramsey County, the City of Saint Paul, and the City of Minneapolis Target Market Program; covers MBE, WBE, and SBE certifications. Using the portal, eligible businesses can submit a combined certification application and, once certified, may be able to use that status across multiple participating agencies. The Women’s Business Development Center – Minnesota (WBDC‑MN) and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) continue to provide national WBE certification for majority women‑owned businesses in Minnesota and neighboring states, as noted above.
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