Press Releases

The NC Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses launched the statewide Small Business Enterprise Program (NCSBE) to aid North Carolina’s minority-owned businesses post-pandemic. “The pandemic is shining a bright light on long-standing issues that communities of color face, including economic challenges,” said Governor Cooper. “We want our historically underutilized businesses to have the guidance they need to recover from the pandemic, and this program will help provide these resources.” 

Governor Roy Cooper ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset, Monday, August 30 to honor the U.S. servicemembers and other victims who died in the terrorist attack on August 26 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Statement from Governor Roy Cooper  "August 26 was a tragic day for our country. Kristin and I are praying for the families of the servicemembers and civilians who lost their lives in Kabul."

In a proclamation signing, Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed August 26 as Women’s Equality Day in North Carolina, a day that honors women trailblazers both past and present who have fought for full rights and privileges that have been historically available to men. “Today, we honor the women who have shaped our communities and who continue the fight for gender equality,” said Governor Cooper. "There is more work to do and smart, strong and effective women leaders across our state are paving the way."

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, August 23, 2021 in honor of US Marine Private First Class Henry E. Ellis and all those who have fought for our country overseas and never returned home. PFC Ellis was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and first enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve in 1943 during World War II.

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today, August 18, 2021 until sunset Thursday, August 19, 2021 in honor of Mount Gilead Police Officer Craig Cloninger who passed away over the weekend while responding to a house fire. His career in law enforcement began in 2002 with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and later with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office where he served as a school resource officer at East Montgomery High School.

The Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force released its second biannual report providing an update on the implementation of policy recommendations addressing disparities in communities of color disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today, August 5, 2021 until sunset Saturday, August 7, 2021 in honor of NC House of Representative Jerry Carter, who passed away on Tuesday. Carter represented the 65th District of Rockingham County. He was in his second term in office. During his service, Carter was the chairman of the Family, Children and Aging Policy committee, and vice-chairman of the local government-land use, planning and development committee. Services for Rep.

The NC Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses has been awarded a 5-year grant in the amount of $385,000 from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to establish and operate the NC MBDA Business Center. The program will aid in the growth of North Carolina’s minority business enterprise (MBE) firms in the areas of business development and capacity building.

On June 24, 2021 the NC Department of Administration’s State Construction Office will host its 40th annual conference. In partnership with NC State University’s McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing of Education, the conference will be virtual for a second consecutive year.  From 8 am to 5 pm, leaders from state agencies and institutions will convene with architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors from around the state for a 1-day session to discuss planning, designing and construction of state projects.

On June 25, the NC Department of Administration’s (DOA) Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses in collaboration with ResilNC will offer an informational forum to aid North Carolina’s minority-owned businesses disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event titled, “Black Business Forum: Scaling North Carolina’s Underestimated Entrepreneurs Post-COVID” will provide resources to aid North Carolina’s diverse businesses in economic recovery. Among the list of guest presenters include Governor Roy Cooper, NC DOA Secretary Pamela B.