Igniting Inspiration: Community Builds Opportunity Beyond North Carolina’s Budget Cuts

North Carolina's Budget Cuts HUB office

Original Sources: Triangle Business Journal, North Carolina Department of Administration, and the North Carolina General Assembly

At the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, we believe important developments in North Carolina’s business landscape deserve to be understood, preserved, and shared. Through our Igniting Inspiration series, we highlight noteworthy news and explore what it means through the lens of leadership, legacy, and opportunity. This articles acknowledges the changes coming from North Carolina’s budget cuts effectively ending the Historically Underutilized Business Office (HUB).

Our Take

For more than 25 years, North Carolina’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) served as a resource that helped businesses learn how to compete for state contracting opportunities. The office provided certification for qualifying businesses, offered education about government procurement, connected entrepreneurs with resources, and encouraged broader participation in the state’s contracting process.

Earlier this month, that chapter came to an end.

As part of North Carolina’s 2026 state budget, the General Assembly eliminated the HUB Office, repealed several statutes governing the program, and transferred administration of the North Carolina Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program to the Division of Purchase & Contract within the Department of Administration. The SBE Program will continue as a race- and gender-neutral initiative supporting qualifying North Carolina small businesses pursuing state contracting opportunities.

These changes represent a significant shift in how North Carolina approaches public contracting resources. Regardless of where individuals stand on the policy itself, one reality remains: entrepreneurs must understand the changing landscape and continue building businesses that are prepared to compete.

Understanding What Changed With North Carolina’s Budget Cuts

The HUB Office served the purpose of increasing awareness, education, certification, and access to opportunities within the state’s procurement system. Businesses still had to meet qualifications and compete through established bidding processes.

With the repeal of several HUB-related statutes, many of the previous participation requirements tied to public construction contracts have been removed. At the same time, the Small Business Enterprise Program will continue under a different administrative structure, emphasizing support for qualifying small businesses regardless of race or gender.

For business owners, this means learning new processes, understanding updated resources, and staying engaged with the agencies responsible for state procurement.

When Systems Change, Relationships Become Even More Valuable

One lesson appears again and again throughout the stories preserved by the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame.

Successful entrepreneurs rarely build remarkable companies because every system works perfectly.

They build them because they develop relationships that endure through changing markets, changing industries, changing technologies, and changing public policy.

Government programs can create awareness.

Organizations can provide education.

Economic development initiatives can open doors.

But lasting businesses are built by people.

A trusted mentor. A referral from another business owner. A conversation at a networking event. A supplier introducing you to a customer. A fellow entrepreneur sharing lessons learned before you have to learn them the hard way.

These connections often become the foundation for opportunities that no policy alone can create.

The Legacy We See in Hall of Fame Leaders

As we reflect on the women honored by the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, one common thread stands out.

Their legacies were not built solely on revenue, awards, or company growth.

These people built relationships, invested in their communities, mentored future leaders, and they advocated for their industries.

They opened doors for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that no one builds a lasting business alone. Every generation benefits from those willing to mentor, collaborate, advocate, and create opportunities for others. That spirit is exactly what the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame celebrates and amplifies. Our hope is that every business owner continues building those connections, sharing their experiences, and lifting others as they climb, because those relationships become the legacy that outlasts any policy or program.”

Wendy Coulter, 2020 Inductee & Owner of Hummingbird Creative Group

Many understood that success carries a responsibility to strengthen the business community around them. Their impact extended far beyond their own companies because they recognized that thriving ecosystems create opportunities for everyone.

What Every Entrepreneur Can Do Today

Whether your business pursues government contracts or serves an entirely different market, there are actions every entrepreneur can take to build resilience.

  • Continue growing your professional network.
  • Participate in your local chamber, industry association, or business organization.
  • Seek mentors—and become one when you’re able.
  • Stay informed about legislative and regulatory changes that affect your industry.
  • Share opportunities with fellow business owners.
  • Advocate respectfully for the needs of your business and your community.
  • Build relationships before you need them.

The businesses best positioned for long-term success are often those surrounded by strong communities, trusted advisors, and meaningful professional relationships.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

The NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame exists to celebrate women whose leadership has strengthened North Carolina’s economy while inspiring those who will shape its future.

What should never change is the willingness of business leaders to invest in one another.

Every introduction made.

Every lesson shared.

Every opportunity passed along.

Every entrepreneur encouraged.

These are the moments that strengthen North Carolina’s business community and create legacies that outlast any single program or policy.

As entrepreneurs, we cannot always control the systems around us. We can control how we respond, how we support one another, and how we continue building a business community where opportunity grows through connection, collaboration, and leadership.

That is a legacy worth carrying forward.

Continue Learning About North Carolina’s Budget Cuts