Administration Division Targeted Small Business Certification Program

The Targeted Small Business (TSB) Certification Program certifies businesses owned, operated and actively managed by women, minority group members or persons with disabilities. Certified TSBs are eligible to apply for low-interest loans and equity grants through the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). Also, state purchasing officers consider TSBs when seeking bids for state-purchased goods and services.

In order to qualify as a TSB, the business must meet the following minimum requirements:

Be located in the State of Iowa.
Be operating for a profit.
Have an annual gross income of less than $4.0 million computed as an average of the three preceding fiscal years.
Be 51 percent or more owned, operated and actively managed by women, minorities or persons with a disability.
Be TSB-certified by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA).

Administrative Rules
The Department's TSB Certification Program is administered under the provision of Iowa Administrative Code chapter 481--25. A copy of the rules may be viewed or downloaded here.

Frequently Asked Questions

The first step involved with the Targeted Small Business (TSB) program is the certification process. All applicants interested in the program must complete the certification application, supply certain copies of the information requested, and submit those items to the Department along with the $25 non-refundable application processing fee. The certification application form and more specific information are available on this web site, or you may contact the program manager, Mary Montgomery, at (515) 281-5796, or by e-mail at mary.montgomery@dia.iowa.gov. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers has been prepared to assist applicants through the process.

Directory and List of Certified TSBs
If you would like to search the TSB Directory, you may do so with the online version. The directory is updated on a routine basis to reflect the most current certified businesses.

Forms, Applications and Special Resources for TSBs
If you are interested in becoming certified as a Targeted Small Business, instructions and application forms are available by clicking here. The information includes a general application, corporate application, and construction application, in addition to an application for financial assistance. The web page also contains links to special resources for TSBs, including links to the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, Procurement Services Division.