NC DOA Seeks Feedback on Small Business Enterprise Program
The NC Department of Administration wants to hear from small business owners as the agency reimagines the future of the Small Business Enterprise Program, which helps small businesses compete for state contracts. DOA is soliciting input through community forums, an online feedback portal, and roundtables with subject matter experts as we explore how to best support small businesses across North Carolina.
The NC General Assembly eliminated the Office for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) in July as part of the state budget, abruptly halting the 27-year-old program that had worked with thousands of businesses across the state to help them compete for state contracts. The legislature also moved North Carolina’s Small Business Enterprise (NC SBE) program from HUB to the Division of Purchase and Contract, also within DOA.
“While we mourn the loss of HUB, we want to make the most of this opportunity to continue to support small businesses that want to provide goods and services to state government,” said Administration Secretary Gabe Esparza. “We’re asking business owners to let us know their needs and tell us what they’ d like to see this program become. Small businesses are vital to our economy, and we want to do our part to uplift them and connect them to opportunities.”
Administration Secretary Gabe Esparza will participate in four locally hosted community forums to engage small business owners.
Forums will be held in September in Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro and Greenville.
Meetings will be held:
Sept. 10 10 am–2 pm
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
134 S. Elm Street, Greensboro
Register: HUB Office is Gone... Now What
Sept. 21 3-4:30 pm
ReCity, 112 Broadway Street, Suite B, Durham
Registration forthcoming: Let’s Talk Business
Sept. 26 11 am–2:30 pm
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
600 E. Fourth Street, Charlotte
Register: Forward Together! 9/18 deadline
Sept. 29
Greenville (details forthcoming)
Business owners and others can also share input online through the feedback form on the NCDOA website.
In addition, Secretary Esparza will gather feedback on the future of the NC Small Business Enterprise Program through informal roundtable discussions with small business owners and stakeholders in the coming weeks. Representatives from different business communities, state and local government leaders, academic experts, and organizations familiar with or interested in providing goods or services to governmental agencies will participate in these conversations, including:
- Jose Alvarez – Prospera USA
- Raj Bhandari – President, Sciencix
- Mark Bolton – Bolton Construction
- Tim Crowley – Chief of Staff, NC Secretary of State’s Office
- Crista Cuccaro - Professor of Public Law and Government, UNC School of Government
- Kevin Dick – Carolina Small Business Development Fund
- Denisha Harris – Town of Cary Purchasing, former HUB Council Chair
- Rev. Lenwood Long, Sr. – BV&L Associates, former HUB Council
- Gerry McCants – Owner, McCants Communications Group
- James “Smuggie” Mitchell – Mayor Pro-Tem, Charlotte City Council
- Anne Shaw – Small Business Development Centers Director, NC Community College System
- Annette Stevenson –Stevenson Consulting Group, former HUB Council
- Bridget Wall – Principal, BL Wall Consulting
- Michael Wang - Carolinas AAPI Business Alliance
The DOA is also working closely with the Governor’s Office, the NC Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and the NC Department of Transportation, with a goal to launch a revamped Small Business Enterprise program by early 2027.
The Small Business Enterprise Program is currently open to any for-profit business headquartered in North Carolina with 100 or fewer employees and annual net income that does not exceed $1,500,000, after cost of goods sold is deducted. Eligible businesses can apply for SBE certification and find more information on the NC DOA Small Business Enterprise Program website.
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