CERT Program

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The Central Certification Program (CERT) was created to promote market growth and increase the competitiveness of qualified small businesses. CERT makes it easier for participating businesses to access jobs and contracts available with participating counties and cities by providing a centralized certification process. 

CERT is a collaboration of Hennepin County, Ramsey County, the city of Minneapolis and the city of Saint Paul.

A CERT Small Business Enterprise (SBE) is a for-profit, independently owned firm, corporation or establishment, with a small number of employees, small amount of assets, low sales volume and limited impact on the market, that has received SBE certification through an application process administered by the CERT lead agency.

The City of Saint Paul currently acts as the lead agency for CERT. Questions regarding CERT should be directed to the Saint Paul CERT contact.

Ramsey County delivers equal access and contracting opportunities to all vendors, including certified small business enterprises and the underutilized labor market. For more information, refer to the Small Business Guide to Ramsey County Procurement (PDF) and the Small Business Enterprise Resource Guide (PDF).

Learn more about Ramsey County's small business spending by visiting Open Ramsey County.