MBE/WBE/SBRA - Definitions

Environmental Improvement Fund

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE)

Section NR 162.003(39), Wis. Adm. Code, defines a minority business enterprise or (MBE) as a business, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture or corporation that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and actively managed by a minority group member or members who are U.S. citizens or persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, as defined under 8 USC 1101(a)(20):

Top of page

WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (WBE)

Section NR 162.003(78), Wis. Adm. Code, defines a women business enterprise or (WBE) as an independent business concern that is at least 51 percent owned by a woman or women who also control and operate it. Determination of whether a business is at least 51 percent owned by a woman or women shall be made without regard to community property laws. For example, an otherwise qualified WBE which is 51 percent owned by a married woman in a community property state will not be disqualified because her husband has a 50 percent interest in her share. Similarly, a business that is 51 percent owned by a married man and 49 percent owned by an unmarried woman will not become a qualified WBE by virtue of his wife's 50 percent interest in his share of the business.

Top of page

SMALL BUSINESS IN A RURAL AREA (SBRA)

To comply with section 129 of Public Law 100-590, recipients of federal funds through the EIF, their prime contractors and subcontractors must solicit small businesses in rural areas (SBRAs). This requirement applies to all Safe Drinking Water Loan Program projects and any Clean Water Fund Program projects that are designated federal equivalency.

Projects that are federally funded under the Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF) must use the federal definition of small business as provided in the Small Business Act (15 USC 632 and 13 CFR 121). Each recipient of federal financial assistance and those employed by the recipient should consult the United States Code for the most current statutory language. This definition of small business applies to small businesses that are located in metropolitan and non-metropolitan (rural) areas.

An SBRA is a small business that conducts its primary operation in a non-metropolitan county or parish.

Consult the Rural-Urban Continuum Code of Classification (exit DNR) to determine which businesses are located in non-metropolitan areas. The U.S Department of Agriculture developed this code for every county in the United States.

If the county is a non-metropolitan county with a 6, 7, 8, or 9 code in the Rural-Urban Continuum Code, EPA considers it rural. Small businesses located in these counties are considered SBRAs.

Back to MBE/WBE/SBRA Main Page