SLBE Certification

What is SLBE Certification?

The Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) program is designed to grow KCMO’s local business ecosystem by encouraging small businesses to participate in contracting opportunities. The program is open to participants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability. It does not replace the MWBE program. 

How to get Certified

Free monthly SLBE certification workshops are held on the first Tuesday of every month from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at City Hall, Human Relations Department (HRD), Training Room, 414 E. 12th St., 4th Floor East, Kansas City, MO. For more information, please call (816) 513-1836. 

Please bring a copy of the SLBE application to the workshop.

Requirements for the SLBE program:

• The owner must possess at least 51% ownership, management, and control of the business.
• The owner must have the training/expertise to perform the work, and where required, have a license in his or her name.
• The firm must be independent and currently operating.
• Principal place of business must be within the seven county Greater KCMSA (consisting of Cass, Clay, Johnson, Jackson, Platte, Wyandotte, and Leavenworth); and
• The firm maintains full time employees in one or more of the firm’s offices within the KCMSA to conduct business or solicit business in the KCMSA the majority of the working time.
• The firm has transacted business more than once in the KCMSA within the last two years; and
• Firms are certified for 3 years and must submit annual updates, and notify CREO of any changes in ownership or control.
• The firm has annual gross receipts that, when added with those of its subsidiary or subsidiaries over three (3) consecutive years, do not exceed five percent (5%) of the applicable business size standard for the SBA General Contractor Classification NAICS Code 236220, or $1.675M (5% of $33.5M).

The certification process includes the following steps:

• Preliminary screening of Application and supporting documentation
• Desk Audit
• Financial Audit
• Field Audit
• Committee Review and Decision

It is very important to submit all supporting documentation promptly to ensure a quick decision.  Once all paperwork has been provided and an onsite field audit has been performed, a certification decision should be issued within 30 days.