HUBZone FAQ

1) Is the owner of the applying HUBZone firm included in the employee count?

Yes – the owner is included.

2) What does it take for someone to be considered a resident of an area for HUBZone?

1. Live at a current location over 180 days or be currently registered to vote from that location.
2. The individual should intend to live at that location indefinitely.

3) What evidence does the SBA most commonly used to determine a person’s residence location?

A copy of their Driver’s License or State ID.

4) How does the SBA define the term “Principal Office”?

A principal office or principal location is where the greatest numbers of employees work at any one location and actually perform their work. The firm’s principal office definition is different from a company’s headquarters, which is where the firm’s management is located.

5) How is a principal office location different from construction or service firms?

Construction and service firms have an exemption based on their occasional need to assign employees at contact locations. The firm must still have an office located within the HUBZone and one employee must work at that location full-time to qualify.

6) If my small business has several offices and one is qualified as a Principal Office that serves as the basis for a HUBZone designation, can all of my offices claim HUBZone certification?

Yes, HUBZone status applies to the entire business, provided all other criteria for HUBZone are satisfied.

7) How often can HUBZone area designation change?

This depends upon the criteria the location meets for being classified as HUBZone. Urban is concurrent with the U.S. Census and, therefore, changes every 10 years. Rural reflects employment and income adjustments, which are determined annually. Native American involves federal recognition and boundary changes, which do not have a fixed time.

8) Is a small business with an 8(a) certification or other SBA certification that is located within a HUBZone eligible to receive both 8(a) and HUBZone contracting opportunities?

Yes. This dual status can be quite beneficial, with a firm that has one legitimate designation able to obtain multiple SBA certifications that it qualifies for. All certifications are mutually exclusive.

9) Does the employee have to work within the HUBZone in which they reside?

No. An employee is eligible if they reside in any HUBZone.

10) Can a location that is not on the official HUBZone map be qualified as a HUBZone?

Yes, if unemployment for the county of the primary business location is greater than 140% of the statewide average.