Youngstown Firms Win Awards After State Certification
Minority-owned contractors and service firms can bid on state contracts within a 15% set-aside once certified.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Business — General
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Youngstown-based Buzz Bros LLC claimed two People's Choice awards, Top Minority Business Enterprise and Top Family Business, at the 2026 OhioMBE Awards held October 22 at Huntington Park in Columbus. DLX Contracting Inc. was also nominated in the Top Family Business category.
Why it matters
The awards recognize businesses that have qualified for Minority Business Enterprise certification, which opens access to state contracts for operators in the region. The recognition was driven by more than 13,000 votes delivered across four categories, reflecting public visibility for both firms.
More than 13,000 votes were cast across four award categories at the 2026 OhioMBE Awards. The state sets aside 15% of its annual budget for minority business enterprise certified clients, a share that is available to both firms now that they hold MBE certification.
The players
Buzz Bros LLC
A Youngstown lawn services company serving residential and commercial clients across Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, started three years ago.
DLX Contracting Inc.
A contracting firm focused on renovations, remodeling and restoration, serving the same three-county region as Buzz Bros LLC.
Valley Economic Development Partners
A Liberty-based economic development organization that helped local businesses pursue Minority Business Enterprise certification.
Minority Business Assistance Center
A state-linked assistance center offering free certification support to minority-owned businesses across seven counties.
The details
Buzz Bros LLC, which offers lawn services to residential and commercial clients, and DLX Contracting Inc., which focuses on renovations, remodeling and restoration, both worked with Valley Economic Development Partners and the Minority Business Assistance Center to obtain certification. Certification allows businesses to bid on specific state contracts, which is the operational mechanism that turns the award recognition into a business opportunity. The Minority Business Assistance Center's services are free, and it serves seven counties.
Timeline
Buzz Bros LLC was started three years before the article was published.
The 2026 OhioMBE Awards were held October 22, 2026, at Huntington Park in Columbus.
The article was published November 14, 2026.
Market Landscape
Ohio's MBE certification program reserves 15% of the state's annual budget for certified firms, creating a set-aside channel that small contractors and service companies can bid into. Recognition events like the OhioMBE Awards make certified firms more visible to the public and to the buyers who source from them.
Operators of small service and contracting firms in the Youngstown region should evaluate whether MBE certification fits their eligibility, since it is the gateway to bidding on state contracts within the 15% set-aside. Certification support through the Minority Business Assistance Center is free, so the upfront cost of pursuing it is low.
The takeaway
Certification is the operational step that converts award recognition into bidding access, so operators who qualify should begin that process rather than waiting for visibility to follow. Eligible owners should contact the Minority Business Assistance Center or Valley Economic Development Partners to start the free certification review.
Further reading
For more on how the state's contracting programs work for local firms, explore Business — General coverage on We are Main Street.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tribune Chronicle, Warren OH.
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