1. LOCAL PRODUCER, LOCAL-FOOD PURCHASER, &
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
PREFERENCE CODE
Chapter 187A
Purpose
Promotes “self-help” for the regional economy by providing incentives/credits to
local companies that compete for City work as prime contractors
Background
• 2008: Mayor Jackson’s challenge to public and private sector, invest
additional $2 billion in our local economy.
• In 2009: Incentives for local producers including food growers
• Early 2010: Ordinance was passed
Ordinance
• Created with input from the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy
Coalition, Cleveland City Council, the Office of Sustainability and the
Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)
• Creating a “self-help” regional economy by providing incentives:
o Bid discounts on competitively bid contracts
o Evaluation credits on professional service contracts
• 3 possible incentives/credits for prime contractors
o Local Producer,
o Sustainable Business and,
o Local Food Purchaser
Local Producer Enterprise (LPE)
Companies headquartered in a 5-county region which fabricate, process or
supply goods or services in the region; Certified through OEO.
• 5-county region includes: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina
counties
As well as growers or producers of food headquartered in a wider 15-county
region; Certified through OEO.
• 15-county region includes: the above 5 counties, as well as, Ashland, Erie,
Holmes, Huron, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and
Wayne

2. Companies that are certified as a LPE and compete on a City contract as a prime
contractor are eligible for a 2% Bid Discount or 2 Evaluation Credits
Local Sustainable Business Enterprise (SUBE)
Companies headquartered in the 5-county region which are certified as
sustainable businesses through approved sustainability programs; Certified
through OEO.
• 5-county region includes: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina
counties
• Approved programs that certify companies as sustainable businesses:
o Green Plus www.gogreenplus.org
• Online diagnostic survey; costs between $350 - $550
o E4S www.e4s.org
• Workshops and strategic planning process; costs $750
Companies that are certified as a SUBE and compete on a City contract as a
prime contractor are eligible for a 2 % Bid Discount or 2 Evaluation Credits
Local Food Purchaser
Companies which purchase local food in an amount not less than 20% of their
City contract from within a 15-county region; Administered by OEO.
• 15-county region includes: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina,
Ashland, Erie, Holmes, Huron, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit,
Tuscarawas and Wayne counties
Companies are eligible for a 2% Bid Discount or 2 Evaluation Credits on a
contract by contract basis
Additional Information
Companies can receive multiple bid discounts or evaluation credits up to 4% or 4
evaluation credits for all three incentives.
They can also be combined with the CSB/MBE/FBE 5% bid discounts or 5
evaluation credits, to receive up to 9% bid discounts or 9 evaluation credits, not
to exceed $75,000.
In order to be certified as a LPE/SUBE, a company must complete the
Certification Application which includes certification for both the Cleveland Area
Business Program and the Local Producer & Sustainable Business Program. The
application is located on the Office of Equal Opportunity’s website,
www.city.clevleand.oh.us/oeo