WUNC News · 18 Sep, 21:52 · Business briefing

NCDOA holds series of forum for minority small business owners after elimination of HUB in budget

North Carolina has eliminated its Historically Underutilised Business (HUB) programme following budget cuts, prompting the state’s Department of Administration to organise a series of forums.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

North Carolina has eliminated its Historically Underutilised Business (HUB) programme following budget cuts, prompting the state’s Department of Administration to organise a series of forums. These sessions aim to support minority small business owners who previously relied on HUB certification for contract opportunities. The move signals a significant shift in state procurement policy, removing a key mechanism designed to ensure minority participation in public contracts. Professionals must now navigate a landscape where traditional diversity set-asides are replaced by alternative outreach methods, requiring a deeper understanding of new compliance frameworks and direct engagement strategies to maintain or secure government business relationships.

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Your move

What this means
for your career.

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This policy shift fundamentally alters the landscape for government contracting, particularly for firms targeting public sector work. You must pivot from relying on certification-based advantages to demonstrating direct value and compliance with new, broader diversity initiatives. Skills in navigating complex regulatory changes and building robust stakeholder relationships will surge in value. If you manage vendor relations or lead a small business, you should immediately review the new forum materials to understand revised procurement guidelines. Focus on strengthening your proposal writing and network within local minority business associations. Proactively engage with procurement officers to understand how they now evaluate diversity without the HUB framework. Adaptability in public administration contexts is no longer optional; it is your primary competitive advantage in securing future contracts.

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