The Business Enterprises Program (BEP) is a program of the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind, created in 1935 by the North Carolina General Assembly. The program's purpose is to provide employment opportunities to the blind and visually impaired citizens of North Carolina through the operation of vending and on-site food service locations throughout the state. On a national level, the program is known as the Randolph-Sheppard Program. The federal Randolph-Sheppard Act grants the state licensing agency, such as this Division, the rights to operate food service and vending facilities on federal properties.

Currently there are over 80 BEP facilities in North Carolina with annual gross sales over $12 million. These facilities are located on federal, state, county and private property.

The Division is responsible for locating and establishing feasible facility locations and for providing necessary equipment, initial stock and petty cash to operate these retail facilities. The legally blind individuals trained and licensed by the Division of Services for the Blind are competitively awarded these locations where they function largely as independent contractors and business people. The proceeds generated by the facility accrue to the operator minus a small portion, referred to as set-aside that is retained by the Division and is similar in nature to a franchise fee. This assessment is used for the purpose of offsetting program expenses such as management services, purchase of new equipment, as well as maintenance and replacement of existing equipment as needed.

Once awarded a facility the operator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility. The Division continues to provide counseling and management services as needed to insure that the facility is managed professionally and that it is also as profitable for the operator as it can be. The operator must sign a contract with the Division, which outlines the requirements and standards the operator is expected to meet or exceed.

For more information relating to the North Carolina program contact Clay Pope or our District Office nearest you.

Operator Eligibility

Individuals interested in entering the BEP Program as an Operator must have mobility skills, daily living skills, a written form of communication, basic math skills, and psychological stability. The Division's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors refer interested individuals for evaluation and those with these basic abilities can participate in academic training at the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Raleigh followed by On-The-Job Training at one or more of our existing facilities.

Contract Vending Services

North Carolina General Statutes give the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Blind, the priority to secure vending machine contracts on most state property. Revenues from these vending machines are used by the Division to support the overall mission of the Division. In addition, the Business Enterprises Program also has vending contracts or arrangements for vending machines in several other situations; in conjunction with a snack bar, where the equipment is either owned by the program or a vending company; on federal property, as provided by the Randolph-Sheppard Act; and on other property, including private and local government.

For further information concerning contract vending services contact: Peggy Dennis.

Program Administration

The Business Enterprises Program has its central administration in Raleigh with direct field services provided by staff in seven, district DSB offices. Federal law provides for "active participation" by an elected committee of vendors in the major administrative decisions and policy and program development decisions affecting the overall administration of the program.

Elected Committee of Vendors: 2008

Chairman: Tim Jones

Vice-Chair: Jim Hitt

SUB-COMMITTEE (2007/2008)

TRANSFER AND PROMOTION: Tommy Simmons (CH), Gary Ward, Vernon Cox

TRAINING AND RE-TRAINING: Vernon Cox (CH), Steve Weadon, Joe Axt, Victor Correro, Joe Parker

ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE: Joe Parker (CH), Carl Johnson

MILITARY FEEDING: Jessie Ballew (CH), Benita Campbell, Ron Eller

LEGISLATIVE: Ron Eller (CH), John Estes

FINANCIAL: Benita Campbell (CH), Tommy Simmons, Vernon Cox

CREDENTIALS: Jessie Ballew (CH)

OPERATOR RELATIONS: Benita Campbell (CH), Tommy Simmons, Jessie Ballew

OVERSIGHT: Benita Campbell (CH)

GMR: Evelyn Robertson (CH), Tommy Simmons, Steve Weadon, Jessie Ballew

D-SHEET: Benita Campbell (CH), Tommy Simmons, Jessie Ballew