Stacey Tompkins, owner of Tompkins Excavating, met with News 12 to discuss her Minority and Women-Owned Businesses certification and offered advice to women and minorities looking to apply.

It took Tompkins 11 years to obtain her MWBE certification.

Her application process begun in 2013, and she was denied three times.

"I did it because I wanted to show and set an example and have other women or minorities to be able to not be discouraged in this process," said Tompkins.

A study last year found that MWBE's in New York state are underutilized. This has prompted a review of the process to be completed by June 2025.