Programs & Services

Blueprint CLE was developed as a strategic component of Cleveland’s Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO)

Developers and contractors receiving city assistance are required to provide mentorship and other benefits under CBAs. Blueprint CLE fulfills the mentorship expectations outlined in these agreements. This initiative is not just a professional development tool—it’s a direct connection to real contracts, visibility, and growth within the City’s economic ecosystem.

Blueprint CLE is a 12-month structured mentorship program. It connects experienced developers, contractors, and business leaders (Mentors) with growth-oriented small businesses (Protégés).

• Designed to build capacity, expand opportunity, and foster strategic collaboration.
• Driven by real development activity in Cleveland.
• Provides a clear path from subcontractor to prime contractor readiness.
• Emphasizes long-term capacity-building—not just short-term engagement.

For more information, call 216.664.4152.

The James H. Walker/Turner Construction Management Course is a 12-week, 20-session course taught by experienced construction professionals and includes education in contracting, marketing, procurement, bonding, scheduling, cost accounting, estimating, and project planning. Participants learn how to become certified with the City of Cleveland, obtain financing, bid on City contracts, and prepare business plans.

Approximately 1,377 entrepreneurs, trades people, and professional architects, engineers, surveyors and others who have taken this course are operating well-known and respected businesses. The course is named in honor of the late James Walker, a former OEO employee who dedicated most of his professional life to helping minorities develop construction and general contracting businesses.

For more information or to register, call 216.664.4152.

Organizations bidding on City of Cleveland contracts or who desire to build projects in the City are required to comply with Chapter187, to ensure participation by Cleveland Small Businesses (CSBs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), and Female Business Enterprises (FBEs). CSBs, MBEs, and FBEs must be certified by the Office of Equal Opportunity so that contractors may receive participation credits when hiring them as subcontractors.

Companies interested in certification must complete a notarized certification application and submit it for review. Applicants may be subject to site visits and additional requests for information.

To schedule an appointment call 216.664.4152 or apply for certification

On the first Tuesday of every month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, the City of Cleveland Division of Purchasing and Supplies hosts virtual office hours for minority-owned and/or female-owned Cleveland small businesses. The purpose is to educate attendees on how to compete for City business.

Vendors may attend the meeting virtually (Via WebEx) or by coming to Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave, Room 128. Space is limited for in-office attendance and will be available on a first-come first-serve basis.

For more information or to register, call 216.664.2620.