Mississippi MBE/WBE Certification: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), through its Minority and Small Business Development Division, certifies minority business enterprises under the Mississippi Minority Business Enterprise Act (Miss. Code § 57-69-1 and following). Women-owned firms are certified under the same law, which counts "female" as a minority group. Certification lists you in MDA's Minority Business Directory and makes you eligible for MDA's MBE loan programs. State agencies and schools must report MBE participation in their contracts each year (§ 57-69-9).

Who qualifies

• For-profit small business that meets SBA size standards and has its principal place of business in Mississippi.
• At least 51% owned by minorities or women, who also control at least 51% of management and daily operations.
• At least 75% of the owners must be Mississippi resident citizens. Owners must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
• Owners must be "socially and economically disadvantaged" as defined in the federal Small Business Act.
• Out-of-state firms cannot qualify because of the residency and principal-place-of-business rules.
• When MDA's certification is based on another agency's certification, it carries that certification's expiration date. MDA does not list which certifications it accepts.

What it means for your bids

• The official pages we found describe no set-asides, goals or price preferences for certified firms on state bids.
• Buyers and prime contractors can find certified firms in MDA's directory. Agencies report their MBE participation each year.
• Mississippi gives resident contractors a reciprocal preference on public contracts. Bidders from states with preference laws are treated the way their home state treats Mississippi bidders, and must attach a copy of their home-state law or risk rejection (Miss. Code § 31-3-21, per the Texas Comptroller's summary).

How to get certified

1. Read the "Should I Apply?" requirements: https://minority.mississippi.org/Should_I_Apply.aspx
2. Start the Small Business Certification Application from MDA's resources page: https://mississippi.org/small-and-minority-business-resources/
3. Upload the documents MDA lists after you submit. Expect three years of personal and business tax returns and financial statements, resumes, a personal financial statement, licenses, bank signature cards, a business plan and formation papers.
4. MDA may do an on-site review.
5. Certification lasts three years. The official pages do not describe renewal steps, a fee or a processing time.
6. Register separately as a state supplier with the Department of Finance and Administration: https://www.dfa.ms.gov/mississippi-suppliersvendors

Watch out for

• MDA also runs a free Minority Business Registry. MDA says registration "does not certify your business."
• MDA's main page lists 601-359-3449. The certification system lists 601-359-3448 for the division.
• We could not find any 2025 or 2026 change to this program on official pages.
• Federal DBE (USDOT, through MDOT) is a separate program.
• City and county programs are separate. Check each one.
• Free help: the Mississippi APEX Accelerator, run through MDA's Minority and Small Business Development Division: https://msapexaccelerator.org/

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Sources

• mississippi.org/small-and-minority-business-resources/
• minority.mississippi.org/Should_I_Apply.aspx
• minority.mississippi.org/
• mississippi.org/minority-small-business-loans/
• law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-57/chapter-69/section-57-69-3/
• law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-57/chapter-69/section-57-69-7/
• law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-57/chapter-69/section-57-69-9/
• www.dfa.ms.gov/mississippi-suppliersvendors
• comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/bidder-preference/mississippi.php

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Status can change quickly with court orders and new laws, so confirm with the program office before you rely on it.