SweetGrass Trading Company is excited to announce our recertification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MPMSDC). Having first achieved this prestigious recognition in 2022, we’ve been successfully recertified each year since, solidifying our commitment to providing valuable services while supporting Native American businesses.
What is MBE Certification?
The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification is awarded to businesses that are at least 51 percent minority-owned. These minority groups include Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals who are U.S. citizens. For SweetGrass, this certification recognizes our status as a Native American-owned business, proudly part of Ho-Chunk Trading Group, a division of Ho-Chunk, Inc. – the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
To obtain the MBE certification, businesses undergo a thorough application process. This includes providing detailed business documents, undergoing an in-depth interview, and welcoming a site visit from a Certification Specialist at MPMSDC. Once these steps are complete, the company must be approved by the MPMSDC’s committee and board members. The certification lasts for one year but can be renewed annually as long as the business continues to meet the necessary requirements.
What is the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MPMSDC)?
The MPMSDC is a vital organization serving as one of 23 regional councils across the country, dedicated to connecting minority-owned businesses with corporate America and government entities. The council covers Colorado, Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska, providing certified businesses with the tools they need to thrive in competitive markets. Their mission is to foster lasting, mutually beneficial relationships between minority businesses and potential corporate clients.
Currently, more than 500 minority-owned businesses are certified by the MPMSDC. Through their extensive certification process, they offer a variety of opportunities for business development, including networking events, educational programs, and access to a vast network of more than 17,000 other certified minority businesses across the United States.
How Does This Benefit SweetGrass and the Native Businesses We Support?
The MBE recertification opens the door to numerous opportunities for SweetGrass Trading Company and the Native businesses we collaborate with. As part of the MPMSDC network, we gain access to a wealth of educational programs and diverse networking events that connect us with both small and large businesses. This exposure gives us the ability to engage with corporate members, government entities, and fellow minority businesses across the country, fostering partnerships, strategic alliances, and even joint ventures.
These valuable relationships are not only beneficial for SweetGrass Trading, but they also create growth opportunities for the Native vendors we proudly work with. “We are excited to be part of the MPMSDC network,” said Adam Bowen, Director of SweetGrass Trading. “These networking opportunities will provide avenues to grow and learn for both SweetGrass and the Native vendors we work with.”
Our continued involvement in the MPMSDC empowers us to advocate for Native businesses on a larger scale, ensuring their products and services receive the recognition they deserve. Together, we can create a more inclusive and diverse marketplace that values and supports minority entrepreneurs.
Looking Toward the Future
We are incredibly grateful for the MPMSDC’s ongoing support and proud to continue our role as an MBE-certified company. The journey that started in 2022 with our first certification has evolved into an exciting opportunity for growth, collaboration, and advocacy, allowing us to strengthen our mission and empower Native businesses.
As we continue to partner with other minority-owned businesses, SweetGrass remains committed to fostering sustainable and meaningful relationships that contribute to long-term success for all involved. Stay tuned for more updates as we explore new ways to support Native American entrepreneurs and communities across the nation!