Governor Stein Proclaims Minority Enterprise Development Month

Minority Enterprise Development Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, successful businesses strengthen our economy and communities across our state, and the State of North Carolina recognizes minority-owned businesses, including those owned by women, as key drivers of economic success; and

Whereas, while minority businesses owners are still underrepresented in North Carolina relative to the overall population, Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses in North Carolina grew by nearly 65 percent from 2017 to 2022, according to a North Carolina Department of Commerce analysis of the United States Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, and the same analysis showed a 25 percent increase in Asian-owned businesses during the same period; and

Whereas, according to the 2025 Status of Women: Investing in Economic Opportunity for Women in North Carolina report commissioned by the North Carolina Council for Women, 57.7 percent of North Carolina women own approximately 46 percent of small businesses in the state; and

Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) and the NC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Civil Rights join other state government departments and organizations in elevating and strengthening minority-owned and women-owned small businesses across the state through training, resources, and support; and

Whereas, due to statewide support, spending with HUB firms continues to trend upward, with more than $312 million in building construction and more than $812 million in goods and services during the 2023-2024 fiscal year; and

Whereas, DOT’s Office of Civil Rights is committed to advancing economic opportunity in the state and plays a vital role in advancing small business development and external workforce programs across all modes of transportation to support North Carolina’s growing population, demand on transportation infrastructure, disaster recovery and response, and innovation; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina recognizes and celebrates the achievements of historically underutilized businesses and encourages participation in programs that honor their contributions as we seek to expand access to economic opportunities for all North Carolinians;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as “Minority Enterprise Development Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this first day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.