Minority Business Program

Our Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program is dedicated to providing equal access to information and opportunities for minority- and women-owned construction contractors, designers, and businesses. We take the MBE Program initiative seriously, and are truly invested in providing equal access and opportunity for participation in all construction related projects.

What is a HUB/MBE?

The term "minority person", as defined in North Carolina G.S. 143-128, means an individual who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is Asian American, Black, Female, Hispanic, or Native American. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individual" is defined in 15 U.S.C. 637. "Minority businesses" are defined in North Carolina General Statutes 143-128 as businesses in which at least fifty-one percent ownership is held by one or more minority persons or by individuals defined as socially and economically disadvantaged.

Senate Bill 914

Senate Bill 914 was enacted by the State Legislature to encourage the use of good faith efforts by all state universities and public entities in the recruitment and selection of minority firms to reach a 10% minimum participation level on public sector construction projects.

View Board Policy 7260 - Minority Business Enterprise Participation in Construction Contracts Policy Wake County Public Schools System

Statewide Uniform Certification (SWUC)

The Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB Office) will launch its new Statewide Uniform Certification (SWUC) program on July 1, 2009. SWUC was developed to streamline the certification process and reduce the redundancy in certifying minority- and women-owned businesses and create a centralized HUB and minority/women business database. The HUB Office will take the lead in certifying HUB/MWBE firms, which previously had to apply for certification through the HUB Office as well as the local M/WBE program offices.

Effective July 1, 2009, HUB firms must be certified through the HUB Office to be listed in the database to be counted by local and state entities for HUB participation and the reporting purposes. The HUB Office partnered with our local M/WBE offices to develop and implement SWUC with input and feedback from HUB firms, prime contractors and HUB resource advocates. With the HUB Office facilitating the certification process, local M/WBE Offices can focus on providing resources and business development. Learn more about SWUC at NC Department of Administration Website.

For additional information on the Minority Business Program, please contact us.