North Carolina’s small business landscape changed dramatically this summer when the state’s 2026 Appropriations Act eliminated the Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses, or HUB office, ending a long-running source of training, consultation and procurement support for businesses owned by women, minorities and service-disabled veterans.
For many entrepreneurs, the change came with little warning. In an interview with The Charlotte Post, Nicole Outlaw, NCGrowth’s Assistant Director of Engagement said the closure “certainly came as a surprise” and raised significant concerns for the businesses that had been working to position themselves for government contracts through HUB certification.
The impact is far-reaching. According to the article, nearly 6,500 small businesses held state HUB certification as of July. The HUB office, created in 1999, had helped businesses prepare for certification, connect with resources and better navigate the procurement process. It also supported a framework that required state agencies to make good-faith efforts and report on participation goals for historically underutilized businesses.
With the office eliminated and those related statutes repealed, many business owners now face a more uncertain path to public contracting. The article notes that the North Carolina Small Business Enterprise program will move to the Division of Purchase and Contract, but details about what comes next have remained limited.
Even so, the story also points to a path forward. Outlaw encouraged affected businesses to continue seeking guidance, and she identified organizations such as the Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Small Business Center Network and SCORE as important sources of support. The article also highlighted NCGrowth’s role in providing no-cost technical assistance to small businesses in rural and economically distressed communities.
For NCGrowth, the moment is a reminder of why this work matters. As access points shift, trusted support systems become even more important. Small businesses remain central to North Carolina’s economy, and equitable access to opportunity remains essential to building resilient communities. In moments of uncertainty, information, partnership and intentional support can help ensure that underutilized businesses are not left behind.
Original Article Here: thecharlottepost.com | North Carolina future without minority business support
Source: Adapted from Charles K. Harris, “North Carolina future without minority business support,” The Charlotte Post*, Sept. 1, 2026.*
