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Pentecom Achieves HUBZone Certification

By Susan Rak-Blanchard In Blog

 

Pentecom achieved HUBZone certification through the Small Business Administration (SBA). A HUBZone, short for Historically Underutilized Business Zone, is designed to promote job creation and small business growth.

 

What Does HUBZone Certified Mean?

Certified businesses can compete for the program’s set-aside contracts, and participants get preference in full and open contract competitions. Pentecom can receive sole-source contracts up to $4.5 million, explained Kathy Rainbolt, Pentecom’s CEO.

 

“We will benefit from additional federal contracting opportunities overall, and being a HUBZone business makes Pentecom even more competitive,” said Rainbolt. “More contracts, particularly large ones, could lead to hiring more people.” 

 

In the company’s early days, Pentecom had success as a HUBZone certified business, said Pentecom’s Chief Operations Officer Caleb Byrd. “Over the years, as the maps were redrawn, the boundaries no longer included us. Being back in a HUBZone is good news for Pentecom.” 

 

What it Takes to be HUBZone Certified

The SBA released newly drawn HUBZone maps in July 2023, prompting the company to apply for the rigorous annual review process leading to certification.

 

Requirements include being a small business with 51 percent or greater ownership by U.S. citizens. In addition, the company’s main office must be in a HUBZone and at least 35 percent of its employees must live in a HUBZone.

 

Both of Pentecom’s offices – the company headquarters in Palestine, Texas, and the satellite office in Scottsboro, Ala., are in HUBZones.

 

Closing Commitment

The certification supports Pentecom’s continued commitment to its current and future employees.

 

“We’ve always been proud of our small-town values and the many talented people who work with Pentecom. We will work hard to take full advantage of this new opportunity to improve employment where we are invested,” said Rainbolt.