Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and in the Merrimack Valley an increasing number of those businesses are Minority-owned, making them key drivers of economic growth. Their dedication goes far beyond day-to-day operations; it’s about resilience, representation, and creating opportunities that strengthen families and neighborhoods. Yet, despite their talent and hard work, many of these businesses struggle to grow. Too often, they are left out of larger contracting opportunities simply because they lack access to the right resources and support.

To unlock opportunities for growth, many small businesses look to contract their services with government agencies or large institutions. For minority-owned businesses, these contracting opportunities are more attainable once they receive state certification as a minority owned business. At the same time, we know that certification alone is not enough, it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Without the right resources, support, and visibility, certification cannot fully unlock the opportunities it promises. For certified businesses to truly succeed in securing contracts, their visibility must be elevated and paired with the right tools to connect them with buyers and decision-makers.

Here in the Merrimack Valley, the Minority Certification Cohort Program, offered through MVPC in collaboration with NECTAR Community Investments and made possible with financial support from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation is helping business owners navigate the certification process, strengthen their messaging, and build the confidence to pursue opportunities that truly match their talent and hard work. The types of businesses participating range from food industry and construction to commercial cleaning and bookkeeping services, showing the wide variety of entrepreneurs who can benefit from certification.

Across Massachusetts, state agencies, municipalities, and corporations are making stronger commitments to supplier diversity and local procurement. That means more opportunities for certified minority-owned businesses than ever before, but only if they are prepared and visible. Programs like the Minority Certification Cohort ensure that businesses in the Merrimack Valley are ready to seize these opportunities, translating certification into contracts, growth, and long-term stability.

For minority-owned businesses, certification isn’t just paperwork, it’s a pathway to growth, visibility, and stronger communities. And here in the Merrimack Valley, we’re making sure no one has to walk that path alone. With the right support, local businesses can not only get certified, but also thrive, creating jobs, expanding revenue, and fueling an inclusive regional economy for everyone.