MWBE Program Plan

Who is eligible?

North Carolina General Statute 143-128.2 defines a “minority business” as a business that is:

• At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more minority persons or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The statute also includes corporations in which at least 51% of stock is owned by one or more minority or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

The statute defines the term “minority person” as the following:

• Black
• Hispanic
• Asian American
• American Indian
• Female

A “socially and economically disadvantaged individual” is defined by reference to a federal statute (15 U.S. C. § 637). Socially disadvantaged individuals are:

• “those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities.” Economically disadvantaged individuals “are those socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same business who are not socially disadvantaged.”

What are the benefits of participating in the program?

1. Knowledge
   • Help understanding and navigating public contracting
   • Workshops & seminars offered on topics relevant to business
   • News and information on what’s happening via our quarterly newsletter, the Coordinator’s Connection
2. Access
   • Electronic notification of bid opportunities
   • Annual Mix-N-Meet for buyers and business owners
   • Single point of contact for information and resources
3. Resource Networks
   
   • Strategic partnerships with East Carolina University and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce
   • Affiliation with other local and statewide M/WBE, DBE, HUB programs, State HUB Office, and NCDOT.
   • Relationships with business development centers and nonprofits such as EXCEED, NCIMED, PCC Small Business Center, SBTDC, and Self Help

How do I participate?

1. Get Certified

• In order to participate, you must first become a certified minority or woman-owned business with the State of North Carolina. Certification is handled through the NC Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses. Through Vendor Link, the online vendor registration software, businesses may register with the State and verify their status as a HUB vendor. Registration not only certifies you to do business with the City/GUC as a M/WBE but also makes you eligible for work with the State of NC.

• If you would like to be certified, please visit the NC Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses and complete the online application. The application process takes approximately 6-8 weeks.

2. Complete the Profile
• Following certification, complete the City/GUC Company Profile and submit along with your HUB Letter of Certification.
3. Register as a Vendor
• Additionally, please use Vendor Self-Service to register as a vendor with the City of Greenville and GUC. Please, refer to our Purchasing page for access to Vendor Self - Service. 
4. Set up an Appointment
• Once you are certified or even before, call or stop by to see the M/WBE Coordinator, Tish Williams, to learn more about the program and to research specific opportunities relevant to your business. In the meantime, visit the Bid opportunities section and locate opportunities at the City of Greenville and the GUC.

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