MWBE Certification

Last updated or reviewed on March 4, 2026

Become a Certified Minority or Woman-Owned Business

Thank you for wanting to register your business as a Minority/Woman Business Enterprise (MWBE) with the City of Asheville.

The City’s Asheville Business Inclusion (ABI) policy helps make sure that minority and woman-owned businesses have a fair chance to provide goods and services to the City. Getting certified can help your business grow by making it easier to work on City projects.

Important Rules

  • Non-profits: Only for-profit businesses can be certified. Non-profits are not eligible.
  • Vendor Registration: You must register as a “vendor” before you can apply for MWBE certification.

How to Apply

Step 1: Register as a Vendor

Step 2: Fill Out the Application

  • Once you are a registered vendor, choose the correct form below:

What You Need to Know Before Starting

  • Have your ID ready: You will need to upload a photo of your driver’s license or state ID. You may also need to upload business permits or licenses.

  • Do it all at once: You cannot save your progress and come back later. Set aside 15 minutes to one hour to finish the form in one sitting.

  • Check your work: The process will take longer if your information is incorrect or doesn’t match.

  • No income limit: You can apply for MWBE certification no matter how much money your business makes. You do not need to provide financial documents for this certification.

Note on Small Business (SBE) Status: At this time, the City is not certifying businesses as “Small Business Enterprises” (SBE). If the help videos mention SBE status, please ignore that part for now.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need help with the form, we are here to support you: