The Small Business Administration (“SBA”) has made changes to the HUBZone maps to implement the new changes from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (“NDAA”). In December, we wrote about the changes to the HUBZone Program that would result from the 2018 NDAA, which included a requirement that the HUBZone map stay the same until at least January 1, 2020. Since then, SBA has taken the following steps:
- All areas that were listed as “Redesignated” on 12/12/17 now have their redesignation period extended to December 2021 as a result of the 2018 NDAA.
- Qualified Census Tracts and Qualified Non-Metropolitan Counties were updated with the latest data received prior to 12/12/17.
- Existing HUBZone areas, including Qualified Census Tracts, Qualified Non-Metropolitan Counties, and Redesignated Areas, will maintain their designations until December 2021.
In sum, any area that is currently in a Redesignated HUBZone will remain a HUBZone until December 2021, and any area that is a Qualified Census Tract and/or a Qualified Non-Metropolitan County HUBZone will keep its designation until December 2021. SBA’s changes to the map will give participants in the HUBZone program and potential participants even more certainty about what areas will stay HUBZones through the end of 2021.
About the Author: Julia Di Vito practices in the areas of government contracts, litigation, employment, and labor. She may be reached at [email protected].