Historically Underutilized Business Program
The purpose of the UNC Charlotte Historically Underutilized Business Program, also known as HUB, is to establish, facilitate and expand the inclusion of HUB participation in the design and construction of the campus physical environment. The University is committed to providing all members of the contracting community access to contracting opportunities. It is our policy to provide Historically Underutilized Businesses equal access and opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the University’s contracting endeavors.
UNC Charlotte’s HUB Program:
- Monitors contractor compliance with regard to minority business participation during all phases of the construction process,
- Educates the HUB community about the bidding process and requirements,
- Identifies minority businesses that can perform on public building projects,
- Conducts outreach efforts to encourage the HUB community to participate in the construction process, and
- Promotes interaction between the HUB community and non-minority businesses in the construction industry to build relationships and develop partnerships.
- For more information reach out to Ellie Festger, HUB Program Manager at HUBProgramFM@charlotte.edu.
NEW! at UNC Charlotte HUB Program
UNC Charlotte Construction Outreach Event 2025 – Photos!
We’re filled with gratitude as we reflect on the success of our recent UNC Charlotte Construction Outreach Event. A huge thank you to everyone who made it such a success! We’re so grateful for your support, especially the dedicated planning team who helped with everything from creating the advertisements to tirelessly checking people in. We also couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of our sponsors: McFarland Construction, Whiting Turner, Barton Malow Builders, MetCon, Heartland Contracting, DPR Construction, Vannoy Construction, Messer, and JE Dunn Construction. Their commitment to the construction outreach event was invaluable.
Missed the event? Scroll down after this post to find the full presentation!
We hope to see you at future events!
UNC Charlotte Construction Outreach Event 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in our outreach event! This presentation covers the information shared, including our new Informal Prequalification Process, our Project Pipeline with upcoming projects, and contact information for our Project Managers.
UNC Charlotte welcomes Ellie Festger as the new HUB Program Manager in the Facilities Management department. Ellie brings a wealth of experience in expanding the supplier base to include Historically Underutilized Businesses to UNC Charlotte. Prior to joining the university, she served as a Senior Compliance Officer at Mecklenburg County, where she was responsible for developing and managing inclusion goals and compliance for a portfolio of complex, billion-dollar construction projects. Her role included leading compliance reviews, pre- and post-contract award audits, and complaint investigations. Additionally, Ellie developed and delivered comprehensive training sessions on program guidelines, government contracting, and various certification processes.
Before her time at Mecklenburg County, Ellie worked in a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Hispanic entrepreneurs. Her extensive background in Operations Management has equipped her with skills in increasing efficiency and reducing costs across multiple industries.
A native New Yorker, Ellie has called Charlotte home since 2015. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Fluent in Spanish, Ellie is proud of her Dominican heritage. When she’s not immersed in her professional endeavors, she enjoys exploring new restaurants and traveling with her husband.
What is HUB?
NC Department of Administration Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) definition.
Senate Bill 914 was enacted by the North Carolina State Legislature to encourage the use of good faith efforts by all state agencies in the recruitment and selection of minority firms to reach a verifiable ten percent participation level on state construction projects. UNC Charlotte has adopted the UNC System plan to increase utilization of HUB in construction projects to demonstrate our commitment to exceeding this goal.
Design and Construction
Informal Construction
- Informal construction projects are those with a budget equal or less than $499,999. All informal construction projects with a budget equal to or more than $100,000 require UNC Charlotte Board of Trustee authorization prior to commencement.
Formal Construction
- Formal construction projects are those with a budget equal to or more than $500,000.
Statewide Uniform Certificate Program
The Statewide Uniform Certification program (SWUC) was developed for the threefold purpose of streamlining the certification of historically underutilized businesses, provide a set of uniform standards and procedures through which firms could be certified and provide for a single database that houses information for all firms certified to participate in Statewide Uniform Certification and any local minority business program.
SWUC Eligibility
Any business meeting the program standards outlined below is eligible to participate in the SWUC program.
- At least fifty-one percent (51%) of the business is owned by one or more persons who are members of at least one of the following groups: Black, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian, Female, Disabled or Disadvantaged.
- The management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more owners of the business who are members of at least one of the groups set forth in the groups above.
Apply for HUB certification under the SWUC program.