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State Contracting — the HUB Office Was Abolished in July 2026 and Nothing Veteran-Specific Replaced It

The 2026 state budget eliminated North Carolina’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses. Since 7 July 2026 state government contracts no longer recognise HUB certifications. The NC Small Business Enterprise programme that carries on has four eligibility standards, none of which mentions veterans.

Verified August 23, 2026

What this benefit is

The 2026 state budget eliminated North Carolina’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses. Since 7 July 2026 state government contracts no longer recognise HUB certifications. The NC Small Business Enterprise programme that carries on has four eligibility standards, none of which mentions veterans.

What it's worth: No veteran-specific state certification or preference — NCSBE certifies on size and location alone

  • The Department of Administration states: "The 2026 state budget enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly eliminated the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB)." As of 7 July 2026, HUB programmes and services are no longer available.
  • The Department states: "State government contracts will no longer recognize HUB certifications. The Statewide Uniform Business Certification remains valid for use with participating local/city governments until their expiration date (unless otherwise notified)."
  • The Department states that the NC Small Business Enterprise (NCSBE) programme "is moving to the Division of Purchase & Contract".
  • The NCSBE certification page sets four eligibility standards in full: "The business must be headquartered in North Carolina."; "The business' annual net income does not exceed $1,500,000, after cost of goods sold is deducted."; "The business must have 100 or fewer employees."; "The business must be organized for profit." Veteran or service-disabled veteran ownership appears in none of them.
  • NCSBE certification is requested through the NC electronic Vendor Portal, and reviews can take up to 90 days from a fully completed packet.
  • The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ own site was surveyed this session and carries no veteran business programme page.
  • N.C.G.S. § 143-128.4, which defined historically underutilized business categories, could not be read: ncleg.gov and ncleg.net both refused retrieval and browser navigation this session.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served, which is what this route is written around.
  • Your home is in North Carolina.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Stop looking for a North Carolina veteran-owned business certification. There is none, and since 7 July 2026 there is not even a disabled-owned category to fit into for state contracts.
  2. 2If you hold a HUB certification, read what survives. The Department says state government contracts no longer recognise HUB certifications, but the Statewide Uniform Business Certification remains valid with participating local and city governments until it expires.
  3. 3Apply for NCSBE on its own terms if the business fits on size: headquartered in North Carolina, annual net income not over $1,500,000 after cost of goods sold, 100 or fewer employees, organised for profit.
  4. 4Register and request certification in the NC electronic Vendor Portal, and allow up to 90 days from a complete packet.
  5. 5Take the federal route for veteran status. The U.S. Small Business Administration certifies veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses for federal contracting, and that is a separate system from state procurement.
  6. 6Ask the NC Military Business Center about federal and defence contracts. It is a statewide business development entity of the North Carolina Community College System headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College, and its work is winning federal business rather than certifying owners.
Form
NCSBE certification request through the NC electronic Vendor Portal (eVP)
File with
North Carolina Department of Administration, Division of Purchase & Contract
Confirm with the office
We have not verified the renewal behaviour.
CorrectionFifty-state certification directories still list North Carolina as offering a route for veteran-owned and disabled-owned businesses through the HUB office. That office was abolished by the 2026 state budget and its certifications stopped being recognised by state government contracts on 7 July 2026.
Worth knowingA HUB certificate is not worthless overnight. The Statewide Uniform Business Certification carries on with participating local and city governments until its expiry date — so check its date before discarding it, and use it locally while it lasts.
Known gapN.C.G.S. § 143-128.4, which set the statutory categories, could not be read this session: ncleg.gov and ncleg.net both answer "Sorry, you have been blocked" to retrieval and to browser navigation. Whether the statute itself was repealed alongside the office is unverified, and is recorded as a candidate.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.