The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on April 13 that Census Tract 209 and the Town of Brookneal in Campbell County have been granted Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) status through a Governor’s designation. The nomination, made during the final months of the Youngkin Administration, allows these areas to participate in a federal program designed to give small businesses better access to government contracts.
The new HUBZone designation is significant because it aims to direct at least three percent of federal contract dollars annually to businesses located in these zones. This provides certified companies with a ten percent price evaluation preference during open contract competitions, potentially making them more competitive for federal work. With this addition, Campbell County now has two designated HUBZones, including one previously established for the Town of Altavista.
Nina Rezai, Economic Development Director for Campbell County, initiated the request with Virginia’s Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity after identifying potential benefits for Brookneal. “This announcement comes after months of working with local industry, the support from the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and the countless people in Former Governor Youngkin’s administration that facilitated this governor’s designation,” Rezai said. “The impact of this program will not only strengthen existing industry. but also provide additional tools to attract new industry to these areas.”
Katie Foster Rolfe, Payroll Manager at Foster Fuels—a local business—said: “With the HUBZone designation, Foster Fuels and other local qualifying businesses gain access to new federal contracting opportunities. These opportunities allow local businesses to grow while investing directly back into our community by hiring locally and contributing to the long-term success of our economic development.”
To qualify for certification under this program, a business must maintain its principal office within a HUBZone area and ensure that at least thirty-five percent of its employees reside there. Certification must be renewed every three years as long as eligibility requirements are met.
Campbell County Public Schools District enrolled 7,896 students during the 2023-24 school year according to official data. Among all schools in Campbell County that year, Brookville High School had the highest enrollment with 1,015 students according to official records. White students made up sixty-seven percent (5,296) of total enrollment while Black students accounted for seventeen percent (1,344) according to state statistics.
Overall enrollment increased slightly by zero point three percent compared with last year’s figures as reported by education authorities. Yellow Branch Elementary School enrolled sixty-nine pre-kindergarteners—the largest number among county schools—which was twenty-two point five percent of all pre-kindergarteners enrolled locally based on public data. Tomahawk Elementary School led kindergarten enrollment countywide with ninety-eight students or eighteen point four percent among kindergartners according to school district information.
Local officials encourage small businesses interested in becoming certified or learning more about participation requirements under this program visit sba.gov/HUBZone.
