The U.S. Small Business Administration announced it had approved expansion petitions in 18 states to create Governor-Designated Covered Areas under the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program.
The approvals cover 252 Governor-Designated Covered Areas and expand access to HUBZone certification for eligible small businesses, particularly those in rural communities. HUBZone certification offers qualifying small businesses the opportunity to compete more effectively for federal contracts, creating new opportunities for small manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers. The approvals cover petitions received from governors since January 2025.
“Working with state governors, the Trump SBA is expanding access to the HUBZone Program and opening new pathways for rural small businesses to compete for federal contracts,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said. “These new designations will help local manufacturers and suppliers grow, create jobs, and invest in their communities. I am grateful to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner for his partnership to expand the impact of the successful Opportunity Zone program by combining those investment incentives with HUBZone federal contracting in more communities to strengthen rural economies, rebuild domestic supply chains, and advance President Trump’s commitment to Made in America.”
The approvals bring to 30 the number of states now participating in the HUBZone initiative. Through the initiative, the SBA works with governors to designate qualifying rural areas where small businesses may seek HUBZone petitions. SBA reviewed the governors’ petitions and worked with them to align new Governor-Designated Covered Areas where appropriate.
Loeffler said the SBA has approved petitions in Indiana, Nevada, Hawaii, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.