New York City's Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise Program - Has it helped your Business?

New York City has a Minority-Women-Owned-Business-Enterprise Program.  According to their website, the benefits of obtaining a certification under the program are that:

    * Firms are listed in the NYC Online Directory of Certified Businesses, which is accessible to purchasing officers and contracting agencies, as well as private purchasers.  Our NYC Online Directory is searchable by keyword, company name, location or certification status of the owner.

    * Enhanced probability of being invited to bid on small purchases by government agencies through new initiatives to connect vendors directly into the government procurement process

    * Networking opportunities with government procurement agents, including industry-focused events

    * Discounts on business development services, such as computer equipment and continuing education classes at local colleges

To qualify for certification into the Department of Small Business Services' (SBS) M/WBE program, a company must be:

    "* In operation for at least one year

    * At least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of a minority group, including Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, African-American, Hispanic or Native American

    * Located in New York City or one of 14 surrounding counties. If the company is located outside of NYC, it must have a significant tie to the City's business community (i.e., have conducted business in the city, have derived 25% or more of gross receipts from business conducted in the city, possess a license issued by the city, etc.)"

Check on their website for applications and requirements. They also offer free classes on completing  the applications.

I would be interested to hear from businesses that have had success through such certification.  Please comment.