For more than two decades, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) has operated a Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (SMWBE) program for opportunities for historically underutilized businesses. However, recent federal actions—most notably Executive Order 14173 and updated grant requirements from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration—now prohibit programs that include race- and gender-based preferences. These new federal guidelines require all recipients of federal funding to comply with nondiscrimination laws and to avoid any appearance of preferential treatment.
As a result of the federal policies impact on federal funding to municipalities which operate diversity, equity, and inclusion related programming, MNAA’s SMWBE program is being discontinued. We are currently developing a program that is focused on fostering small business development which follows all federal policies. This new program, when implemented, will require all currently certified SMWBE firms to submit a new certification application for MNAA’s Small Business Certification.
Existing SMWBE certified firms’ certifications will be deactivated. We will not process any new SMWBE or renewal applications. More information about the new small business program and certification process will be provided soon. MNAA remains committed to helping small businesses grow and thrive through wide-ranging, legally compliant practices that support economic development across the region.
MNAA’s Small Business Program will promote MNAA business opportunities and encourage networking and partnerships between MNAA Certified Small Businesses and other businesses. The SBD will strengthen airport operations and enhance passenger experiences through the Certified Small Businesses that deliver cost-effective, high-quality, and timely performance and provide new expertise on MNAA contracts.