Local Businesses Urged to Become HUBZone Certified

According to EDA Director Rachel Lester, small businesses, local contractors, and entrepreneurs are urged to become HUBZone certified. The certification will increase the business' chance of obtaining work/contracts on government sponsored projects, such as the federal prison.

Because McDowell County is a designated HUBZone (Historically Under Utilized Business Zone), the designation is advantageous to businesses and organizations engaged in economic development.

HUBZoned-certified businesses, Lester said, may be eligible to receive price evaluation adjustments when competing for federal contracts. Moreover, the certification mandates that many federal prime contractors are obligated to seek and award subcontracts to HUBZone certified small businesses, like the ones in McDowell County .

The U.S. Small Business Administration regulates and implements the program, in addition to making the list of HubZoned certified businesses to federal agencies in need of vendors.

“The HUBZone Certification provides a multiplicity of advantages to McDowell County businesses. We strongly urge all local businesses to take advantage of the upcoming workshop that will explain the entire process,” Lester said. “It's not hard to do, and we'll be there to guide them every step of the way.”

A free workshop on how to become HUBZome certified is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 6 p.m., a the WorkForce Building , Welch. Workforce is located at Coney Island , behind Subway.

Additional information on the HUBZone Workshop is available through the EDA at 436-3833.