Author Description

The SBA Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program provides fed. contracting assistance to small firms located in economically distressed areas, with the intent of stimulating economic dev¿t. Questions have been raised about whether the program is targeting the locations and bus. that Congress intended to assist. This report examines: (1) the criteria and processes that SBA uses to identify and map HUBZone areas and the economic characteristics of such areas; (2) the mechanisms SBA uses to ensure that only eligible small bus. participate in the program; and (3) the actions SBA has taken to assess the results of the program and the extent to which fed. agencies have met their HUBZone contracting goals. Tables.