Dozens of Black and minority enterprise owners gathered in Greensboro to press North Carolina officials for concrete pathways to state contracting opportunities, following the recent legislative dissolution of the state’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses.
The gathering took place at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, bringing together regional business leaders, community advocates, and elected officials. Participants expressed deep concern over the sudden changes to the state's procurement framework and the potential long-term harm to diverse small businesses.
The town hall forum was coordinated by The Collective, a coalition uniting several prominent advocacy groups, including the NC Black Alliance, the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Greensboro Business League. The coalition aimed to present a unified front in addressing the challenges created by recent state-level policy shifts.
At the core of the coalition's demands is a formal request that all enterprises previously registered under the dismantled initiative be automatically transitioned into the state’s Small Business Enterprise program. Leaders emphasized that this transition is necessary to maintain vital commercial pathways and prevent minority-owned firms from being cut off from public contracts.
In addition to shifting certifications to the small business program, participants urged the administration of Governor Josh Stein to establish a dedicated Advisory Council on Black Affairs. Advocates stated that such a body would provide an essential platform to review state economic policies and ensure minority business interests are represented.
The urgent calls for state action follow the North Carolina General Assembly's move to eliminate the specialized agency as part of the state's $34 billion budget plan. The legislative change took effect after Republican lawmakers successfully overrode multiple vetoes issued by Governor Stein on measures aimed at curbing state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
For more than two decades, the eliminated office served as a crucial bridge between diverse contractors and state procurement agencies. Established in 1999 under an executive order by then-Governor Jim Hunt, the agency was tasked with helping minority-owned enterprises compete for municipal and state government contracts across North Carolina.
During its operation, the agency maintained a publicly searchable vendor database, provided dedicated operational training, and distributed direct alerts regarding upcoming state bidding opportunities. These resources allowed participating contractors to connect with primary builders and compete effectively in public sector projects.
When lawmakers formally dissolved the agency, more than 6,000 individual enterprises were actively enrolled across the state. The statutory changes officially ended the state's recognition of specialized designations for public procurement, leaving thousands of registered business owners uncertain about how to pursue future public work.
Among those directly affected is Gerald Carr, the chief executive officer of Charlotte-based All-Pro Builders and Restorations. Carr, who participated as a panelist at the forum, noted that his construction business had long depended on the state office for technical guidance and valuable relationship-building with prime contractors.
Carr revealed that the practical fallout from the agency's elimination was almost immediate for his enterprise. Just three days following the shutdown of the office, his company lost a construction contract valued at more than $400,000, underscoring the immediate economic volatility small contractors are experiencing under the new rules.
Addressing the forum, Carr characterized the complex procurement environment as a game where understanding the rules is vital to survival. He noted that when state standards shift abruptly, small and diverse enterprises face immense hurdles in adapting quickly enough to protect their revenue.
The North Carolina Department of Administration has stated that while existing specialized certifications will no longer be renewed, enterprises remain free to submit bids for state contracts under standard procedures. However, many business owners maintain that losing targeted certification weakens their ability to stand out and forge partnerships with larger primary contractors.
To help mitigate the disruption, the Department of Administration announced the launch of an accelerator initiative designed to assist former participants in navigating the operational transition. State officials indicated the new program is intended to help expedite general small-business certifications for firms impacted by the agency's closure.
The Greensboro town hall also featured contributions from state legislators, including Representative Amos Quick III and Senator Gladys Robinson, both Guilford County Democrats, who shared the panel with Carr and Michelle Clark Jenkins to examine policy alternatives.
Advocates concluded the forum by reiterating that without proactive support and formal policy adjustments from state leaders, minority-owned small businesses across North Carolina risk being pushed to the margins of public sector contracting.
(0)