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Representative Rigell cosponsored H.R. 2131, The Protect Our Hub Zones Act
Washington,
Mar 23 -
HUB (Historically Underutilized Businesses) Zone is a program through the Small Business Administration (SBA) that administers select government contracting opportunities to small businesses that are considered economically disenfranchised. The primary goal of the program is to create incentives for the federal government to do contracting with businesses that operate in communities with statistically-proven economic needs.
After the 2010 Census, the HUB Zone lines were drawn differently to account for population movement and other factors measured by the Census. Virginia Beach’s employment and income data were included in the Eastern Shore district causing them to lose HUB Zone status. As a result, businesses in some towns - such as Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore - lost their ability to compete for certain government contracts, and job losses would ultimately occur.
H.R. 2131 would extend the Hub Zone status for three years for areas such as the Eastern Shore allowing those jobs to be preserved.
This bill is sponsored by Representative Rick Larsen, a Democrat from the state of Washington, and has received bipartisan support with 28 Republican and 32 Democrat cosponsors. Representative Rigell is encouraged to find common ground with his Democratic and Republican colleagues on a bill that allows the Eastern Shore to keep those jobs that depend on HUB Zone status.
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