Certification

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The Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Great Lakes (WBEC - GL) serves as a partner with the
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) to assist women business owners with
opportunities for women’s business certification and access to private and government markets.

WBE Certification

WBEC-GL’s certification provides opportunities for nationally recognized certification of businesses
that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women. Through the
WBEC - GL, corporations and government purchasing programs are helping to bridge the gap in
contracting activities between women business enterprises and corporate government buyers.
WBEC- GL provides procurement opportunities and services for women across the state.

Certification Criteria

Ownership:
Fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women. The applicant must share in all risk and
profits commensurate with her ownership interest.

Control and Management:
Proof of active management of the business. Women must possess the power to direct or cause to
direct the management and policies of the business.

Contribution of Expertise and Capital:
Contribution of capital and/or expertise by women owners to acquire their ownership interest
shall be real and substantial and be in proportion of the interest acquired.

Independence:
The women owner(s) shall have the ability to perform in her area of specialty/expertise without
substantial reliance on males or nonwomen-owned businesses.

Visit to begin the online application at www.wbenclink.org

Certification Process

•Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Great Lakes Program Manager will receives the
application packet.
•If complete, the owner and contact person listed on the online application will receive an email
advising them the file is complete. From the date of the email, it will take 90 days to process the
application. Note: emails during the process are auto emails. Please check your junk mail as your
firewall may prevent them from being received by the in box. If the file is missing documents, the owner
and contact will receive an email requesting additional information.
•The local Certification Committee reviews the application
•A Site Visit is arranged with the owner
•Final Determination by Certification Committee

For information regarding the processing of your application, contact the
Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Great Lakes program manager, Pamela Smith WBEC-GL
at (734) 677-1400. If certification is granted, the owner and contact on file will receive an
email informing them the company has been granted certification. If certification is denied,
the owner will receive a certified letter.