CENTRAL VA- Today in the General Laws Committee’s subcommittee on FOIA/Procurement, my colleagues and I will hear testimony on Senate Bill 658 which deals with HUBZones. This legislation is supported by Governor Bob McDonnell. The Governor’s office, including Secretary of Administration Lisa Hicks Thomas have worked closely with the Department of General Services and others to ensure that the HUBZones established will promote small businesses in areas of the Commonwealth that have historically and consistently been underutilized. In our district the HUBZones include a majority of Caroline County and parts of Henrico County. This legislation would fulfill the Governor’s campaign promise to grow the economy in areas that have been hardest hit during this downturn. "I appreciate, especially in these tight economic times that must not lose focus on renewing prosperity in Virginia. Along with balancing a $4 billion shortfall to right-size and make government more efficient," noted Del. Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) we must focus on bringing new jobs to our state which will be the ultimate way to sustained recovery."
HUB zone “means an area in Virginia as determined by the United States Small Business Administration pursuant to relevant federal law. For purposes of determining HUB zone locations for inclusion in programs established to facilitate the participation of small businesses, a public body may rely upon the accuracy of the information made available by the United States Small Business Administration.”
There is 1 HUBZone in Henrico currently qualified by the Federal Government. SB658 will establish a HUBZone program for Virginia and give contractors in those affected areas an ability to compete for state contracts. You can see all of the HUBZones identified by the Federal Government here: http://map.sba.gov/hubzone/hzqry.asp?scope=-79458927%7C38003385%7C482.077379485597%7C212.220469644108&command=zmin&zoomrect=377%7C207%7C0%7C0&panshift=&mapimage.x=377&mapimage.y=207
To learn more about SB 658 visit http://leg6.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?101+ful+SB658S1.