The recent town hall held in Pitt County gathered small business owners and state leaders, including State Sen. Kandie Smith and Rep. Gloristine Brown. The discussion centered on the impact of the state budget’s elimination of the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program, initially established by Gov. Jim Hunt in 1999 to support minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses in obtaining government contracts and certifications.
Local business owners expressed concerns about the loss of HUB, highlighting its crucial role in helping them access opportunities. April Kelly, a Black female entrepreneur, emphasized how the program distinguished her startup in a competitive market. The town hall aimed to provide feedback and explore alternative solutions.
Smith noted the need for connection among businesses and suggested transitioning to Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification as a possible solution. However, questions remain about whether SBE can effectively replace HUB. Smith plans to host more town halls to continue addressing these issues.
