Cincinnati Opens Doors for Small Vendors Seeking City Work

Laura Castillo, director of the Cincinnati Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement, announced that the city is hosting its fifth annual Business Enterprise Expo this Thursday. The event is designed to connect small business owners with municipal procurement staff and outline upcoming contract opportunities. It marks the first year the city is partnering with the African American Chamber for the gathering.

The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Financial Center at 525 Elm Street. While Castillo asked attendees to register on Eventbrite, she confirmed that walk-ins are welcome. She told viewers that the event is free and encouraged anyone interested to simply show up.

The schedule includes panels where city department directors will discuss their upcoming needs. Speakers will also include the city manager and the mayor. Support rooms will offer one-on-one assistance for business owners applying for certifications or learning the software used for certified payroll. The department compiled a list of city contracts expiring in the next year to give businesses a clear view of available work.

Castillo noted that the city seeks vendors for more than just construction projects. She cited parks and recreation events that require caterers and teen programming as examples of the diverse work available. The goal is to ensure a wide range of local companies can participate in the bidding process.

Businesses do not need existing certification to register as a city vendor. Castillo said the process takes about 15 to 30 minutes, with staff available to help on the spot. Minority, women-owned, and small business enterprise certifications take longer, but she noted that businesses already certified by the State of Ohio can often speed up the process. She stated that the city needs more folks to compete for this work.

The event provides a direct channel for local firms to understand how to access municipal spending. The department aims to make the procurement system accessible to owners of all sizes. The free entry lowers the barrier for new entrants to the market.