Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development

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Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development


​​The Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, a diverse workforce, and promotion of equitable business opportunities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.​


 Civil Rights Branch
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It is the mission of the Office for Civil Rights to ensure adherence to and compliance with ADA, Equal Employment Opportunity, Title VI, and Title VII. The Civil Rights Branch is responsible for ensuring that no person (in the Commonwealth of Kentucky) be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination based on color, religion, race, national origin, or disability under any program administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. 


The Civil Rights Branch also administers the Minority Internship Program (MIP). This program is to provide career opportunities, as well as hands-on work experiences strategically including women and minorities which have been historically excluded.  It is designed for undergraduate and graduate students at Kentucky colleges and universities. Please visit the Minority Internship Program page for more information.


Questions? Visit the Civil Rights Page


Small Business Development Branch
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) program that was established to ensure that firms owned by minorities, women and other socially and economically disadvantaged persons have an equal opportunity to participate in federally assisted projects. 


The objectives of the DBE Program are:

  • To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department's highway, transit, and airport financial assistance programs;
  • To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
  • To ensure that the Department's DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
  • To ensure that only firms that fully meet this part's eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
  • To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
  • To promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally-assisted contracts and procurement activities conducted by recipients.
  • To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program; and
  • To provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assistance in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.


Please visit our
Small Business Development page for more information on qualifications of becoming a DBE and how to participate.

If you have any questions regarding DBE Certification, you may contact:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-3601
KYTC.OCRSBD@ky.gov


 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
200 Mero Street FrankfortKY40601KY8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST, M-F(502) 564-3601 (502) 564-2114

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