As a result of the October 1, 2011, release of 2010 Census data regarding income levels and unemployment rates, the nonmetropolitan counties and census tracts that had been ‘redesignated’ in the program are no longer qualified as HUBZones. Small businesses with principle offices in expired areas can no longer maintain their HUBZone certifications and have been excluded from the program by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Additionally, all remaining HUBZone firms should check their status to determine whether they still meet the 35% employee residency requirement to remain in the program. Companies that no longer meet this (and/or any requirement for remaining HUBZone-certified) are being encouraged by the SBA to voluntarily decertify themselves from the program.
Decertified companies that can requalify for the HUBZone Program must wait a minimum of 90 days from the dates of their decertifications to apply for
recertification.
Legislation that would extend eligibility of areas that are no longer qualified for the HUBZone Program remains dormant in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Click on the links below for more information:
- More Information from the SBA
- http://www.sba.gov/content/notice-expiration-redesignated-hubzones-october-1-2011
- Information Briefing about HUBZone Program Changes
- http://imedia.sba.gov/vd/media1/training/HUBZoneBriefing/index.htm
If you are a business located in Georgia and have questions about the SBA’s HUBZone Program, feel free to contact the GTPAC Procurement Counselor nearest you for assistance. All contact information may be found at: http://gtpac.org/team-directory.
