Raleigh, NC – Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) announced that the North Carolina Department of Administration’s (DOA) Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses received a $385,000 federal grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The five-year grant allocates funding to open an MBDA Business Center that will provide essential training and services to minority business enterprises (MBEs) in North Carolina.

“Small and minority-owned business are the backbone of our economy and need our sustained support to recover from the immense challenges of the pandemic,” said Congresswoman Ross. “I’m thrilled that the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses can build on its crucial work for minority-owned business in North Carolina with this grant. In Congress, I will continue fighting for critical funding for our community so we can give businesses in North Carolina’s Second District and beyond the resources needed to stay afloat and thrive.”

Tammie Hall, Director/Assistant to the Secretary for Historically Underutilized Businesses said, “I am excited and honored that the NC Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses has been awarded this significant grant to expand on our support of minority business owners who are a crucial element of our economic recovery post pandemic. The recovery of MBE firms will be a marathon and not a sprint which is why this funding over the next five years will be vital to their survival.”

The Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) was established to support the economic growth and development of minority and women-owned businesses in North Carolina.

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