Are you an Ohio Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)? The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has just provided a new round of DBE Supportive Services funding. DBE companies will have up to $7,000 to be reimbursed for the purchase of training, registration fees for industry events/seminars, membership fees, software and/or software licenses, financial audit/review, books, lodging, tuition expenses, and one-on-one consulting services. Requests for reimbursement will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 9am.

In this new funding round, ODOT has made some improvements:

  1. ODOT will now reimburse for sales tax
  2. They have simplified the reimbursement process. They will no longer require pre-approval to pay invoices. DBEs can submit for reimbursement, and as long as the item is an allowable expense (per the reimbursement guidelines) the DBE company will be reimbursed up to $7,000 as long as the funds are available.
  3. Since ODOT no longer requires pre-approval, DBEs will submit your reimbursement request in one step instead of two at the link here: https://ODOT.formstack.com/forms/request_for_supportive_services_reimbursement_copy  You will need to submit proof of payment as well as a “proper invoice” from your company to ODOT. NOTE: This link will remain inactive until Tuesday, Sept 8th at 9am when the reimbursement process opens.

If you are an Ohio DBE and are in need of a financial audit or review or one-on-one consulting for business strategy, succession planning, or employee retention, please contact Senior Manager Jason Bainter at .