Proposed Small Business Enterprise Program

New program to foster small business participation

Purpose

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, is proposing a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program to promote small business participation on United States Department of Transportation-assisted contracts. Each agency is proposing this program as part of their DBE program plan.

We welcome and encourage feedback on this program. Please know that all feedback is public data.

Highlights

We are proposing this program to apply on federally assisted contracts to:

• Increase opportunities for small businesses
• Promote economic growth and create jobs
• Facilitate competition and small business participation

What is this for? How does this program apply?

This program works alongside the DBE program to help create more opportunities for small businesses.

This program, if approved, may be applied to federally funded projects. SBE goals may be considered in place of DBE goals on certain projects.

We want to hear from you

This is your opportunity to provide feedback on this program. MnDOT and Metropolitan Council value public feedback. Some topics to consider:

• The eligibility criteria
• Size thresholds
• How small business participation on projects is counted
• How would this impact you

Action steps

1. Please read the full proposed SBE Program plan to learn more about the program's purpose, goals, definitions, eligibility and certification, and more.
2. Find more information in the "Important Links" sidebar.
3. Provide your feedback below or at one of the information sessions.

The public feedback period is open Nov. 9 - Dec. 9, 2026.

After the public feedback period closes, we will review your feedback and take it into consideration in the final program plan. Then we will submit the plan to the US Department of Transportation for review and approval.