Program Overview
The Multnomah County Construction Diversity and Equity Fund (CDEF) supports free technical assistance to businesses certified through the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID). The goal of the Technical Assistance program activity is to provide COBID-certified businesses with support and services that include, but are not limited to business training, mentoring, technology selection and training, business/growth planning, networking and other assistance that support the overall success of their business. Support services are available in multiple languages.
Eligibility
To be approved for assistance, a business must be certified by the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) as a:
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE)
Emerging Small Business (ESB)
This program does not provide support for businesses seeking a COBID certification.
Businesses do not need to be participating on a Multnomah County project or have a contract with the County in order to apply for Technical Assistance support.
Process
COBID-certified businesses start the process of Technical Assistance by filling out the CDEF Technical Assistance Request Form. Within 5 days of receiving the technical assistance request form, program administrators TyCyn and Associates will set up a 1:1 intake interview with the COBID-certified business seeking support. In this interview, we will ask for more information about the areas of support being sought and create a list of priorities as well as learning more about the COBID business and their capacity for receiving support. From this interview, the COBID firm will be partnered with a Technical Assistance Service provider currently under contract with Multnomah County to receive direct support services. To conclude the Technical Assistance process, COBID-certified firms will need to complete the CDEF Technical Assistance Feedback Survey. The County values the opinion of COBID-certified businesses and appreciates the assistance in helping us improve how we serve our valued community partners.
Submission Form
To request Technical Assistance support for your COBID-certified business, please complete the CDEF Technical Assistance Request Form.
Feedback Survey
At the end of the Technical Assistance process, all COBID-certified firms are required to complete the CDEF Technical Assistance Feedback Survey. The County values your opinion and appreciates your assistance in helping us improve how we serve you, our valued community partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be located in Multnomah County to receive technical assistance support?
A: No, you do not need to be located in Multnomah County. The only condition for receiving support is having a current COBID certification as a MBE, WBE, VBE, or ESB.
Q: Is this a grant program where I can receive direct funds from Multnomah County?
A: No, there is no direct funding given to COBID-certified businesses under this program.
Q: Can the technical assistance program be used to help purchase hardware or software for my business?
A: No, the intention of this program is not to fund ongoing operational costs. For example, a company could seek technical assistance for learning how to use QuickBooks to best suit their business needs but the technical assistance program would not help with purchasing a QuickBooks license for the year.
Q: Can I submit more than one request for technical assistance support?
A: Yes, initial requests are prioritized to maximize technical assistance funding. Subsequent requests will be assessed and prioritized depending on need and funding availability.
Q: Can I choose who I work with for technical assistance?
A: Multnomah County has contracts in place with local firms who provide support to COBID-certified businesses. COBID-certified businesses seeking technical assistance will be partnered with a firm that is currently contracted with Multnomah County at the discretion of the CDEF program.
Q: Is technical assistance only available for construction companies?
A: No, any COBID certified business can seek support through the Multnomah County CDEF program.
For any other questions, please email CDEF@Multco.us.