Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) Program

VBE Directory Search

VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (VBE)

– A small business concern which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged veterans, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged veterans, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by those same socially and economically disadvantaged veteran owners. Ownership must be real, substantial, and continuing, and the veteran applicant must have and exercise the authority to independently control the business decisions of the enterprise.

VETERAN

– means a person who served on active duty with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, for a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Reservists or members of the National Guard called to federal active duty (for other than training) or disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or while in training also qualify as a veteran pursuant to 38 C.F.R. Part 74.

Certification Process

Eligibility

A small business concern which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged veterans or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged veterans; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by more or more such individuals.

To apply for VBE certification, businesses must be owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged veterans.

Forms and Applications

Firms seeking certification as a VBE must complete and submit the following certification documents. Please note that firms located outside of Rhode Island should seek certification by their home state certifying agency, if applicable, prior to submitting an application to Rhode Island. Please do not place applications in binders or include any extraneous documents such as dividers, tabs, an index, etc., as these documents will only be discarded.

Completed applications should be forwarded to:

RI Department of Administration

Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity

Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office

One Capitol Hill, 3rd Floor

Providence, Rhode Island 02908

Certification Related Forms:

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