CERTIFICATION — Eliza Kelley, left, president of EMIT, is congratulated by Lydia Mihalik, director of Ohio’s Department of Development. (Contributed photo)

STEUBENVILLE — EMIT Training Consultants has received state certification from the Minority Business Development Division of the Ohio Department of Development in the categories of encouraging diversity, growth and equity; minority business enterprise; and women-owned business enterprise.

The EDGE program was established by Ohio in the early 2000s to help level the playing field by providing resources and opportunity for minority business enterprises, women business enterprises and other socially or financially disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

“These certifications create an outstanding opportunity for minority- and women-owned businesses to receive equal treatment in terms of contracts, loans and grants. This levels the playing field,” said T’Kayla Kelley, chief executive communications director with EMIT Training Consultants.

The benefits of the certifications include having access to more contracts with state agencies, boards, commissions and universities, as well as a host of local government organizations and private-sector companies, as well as inclusion in certified business databases and access to business resources including grants, loans and training programs that are designed for certified or qualified companies, officials explained.

“We are looking forward to working in our local community and the surrounding areas. we want to give back while providing top-level training,” said Kelley. “We also would like to thank the Minority Business Assistance Center in Youngstown for its assistance.”

“It has been a pleasure working with EMIT’s President Eliza Kelley,” said Tamisha Wheeler, a business adviser with the center. “We started the process as strangers and have grown together for the journey. These are businesses that we are looking for — the vision, the dream, the hard work — it all plays into the overall success of the business. We are so excited and proud to see what EMIT does and how it will continue to impact the community.”

EMIT Training Consultants is a minority women-owned small business that was created to challenge the misconceptions associated with the lack of knowledge as it pertains to training in the workforce and private sector. It provides training in seven subjects: Ethics, equity, education, management, inclusion, diversity an technology. It also provides public outreach and engagement services for contracting companies or firms.