Economic Development and Housing

HUBZone Program

SBA HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program

Census Tract 259.02 and 262.00

City of Clearwater

The program seeks to encourage economic development in historically underutilized business zones (HUBZones) through the establishment of preferences for award of Federal contracts to small businesses located in these areas. The programs falls under the auspices of the U.S. Small Business Administration. As of October 1, 2000, all Federal departments and agencies involved with procurement must factor into their contracting plans annual goals that have been established for the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program. Purpose of the HUBZone program is to provide federal contracting assistance for qualified small business concerns located in the HUBZone.

To participate in the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program, a concern must be determined to be a “qualified HUBZone small business concern” if the following four requirements are met:

• Small business by SBA standards
• Principal office is located in an “historically underutilized business zone” (HUBZone)
• It is owned and controlled by one or more U.S. Citizens, a Community Development Corporation, or Indian Tribe
• At least 35% of concerned employees reside in a HUBZone.

Another benefit that HUBZone businesses are eligible for is higher SBA-guaranteed surety bonds on construction and service contract bids.

Additional information can be obtained at www.sba.gov/hubzone. The district office that works with the City of Clearwater's HUBZONE is the South Florida District Office at (305) 536-5841.