HUB Office Eliminated in State Budget
In a recent email to businesses, the NC Department of Administration (DOA) stated:
“We regret to inform you that the state budget enacted in July 2026 by the NC General Assembly eliminated the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses. We sincerely appreciate the partnerships we have formed over the past 25+ years and the progress made to increase the number and types of businesses competing for government contracts across the state. The NC Small Business Enterprise Program will move to the Division of Purchase & Contract, with more details coming soon. We are grateful for your support during this transition. Thank you for all that you do for the state of North Carolina.”
On July 9, the North Carolina Department of Administration issued the following press release:
“The new state budget enacted by the NC General Assembly eliminates the North Carolina Department of Administration’ s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses effective immediately after more than 25 years of service to the business community.
“Established by Governor Jim Hunt in 1999 under Executive Order 50, the HUB Office supported the growth and
profitability of historically underutilized businesses across the state, offering resources that promote economic opportunities, business development, and education. Throughout the past two decades, the Office has assisted thousands of business owners in achieving HUB and/or Small Business Enterprise certification, while also helping improve the number and type of businesses competing for government contracts in North Carolina.
“’HUB vendors have done great work for the state for decades, and we encourage agencies to continue to work with them,’” said NC Department of Administration Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza. The HUB Office played an instrumental role in opening doors of opportunity for businesses that had not traditionally been at the table to compete for state contracts. They helped those businesses and our economy grow, while encouraging competition and good value for taxpayer dollars.”
“The NC Department of Administration hopes to continue to work with many HUB businesses in the near future through the Small Business Enterprise program, which will be moving to the department’s Division of Purchase and Contract.”
The North Carolina Small Business Enterprise program (NCSBE) was “developed to provide access to contract opportunities that allow small businesses to compete against others that are comparably positioned in their industries and markets; as well as participate in department contracts if they meet the eligibility standards.”
A small business must meet the Program standards outlined below to be eligible to participate in the NCSBE Program.
• The business must be headquartered in North Carolina.
• The business’s annual net income does not exceed $1,500,000, after cost of goods sold is deducted.
• The business must have 100 or fewer employees.
• The business must be organized for profit.
Interested small businesses can start the NCSBE certification process at evp.nc.gov
Five Women-Owned Businesses Team Up for Mill Ave’s First Block Party
By Masiel Garcia
Businesses on Mill Ave are hosting their first-ever block party on Saturday, August 15th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The event brings together five local storefronts: Reinas, Cozy Co, Storm Pierre Photography, Style House Collective, and Urban Core Youth Gym. All five are women-owned. Four of the five are veteran-owned, and the fifth is owned by a military spouse.
The block in front of the five businesses will be filled with vendors, food trucks, and activities for kids, making it a family-friendly way to spend a Saturday before the school year starts back up. Organizers describe it as a chance to slow down, shop local, and connect with neighbors before
schedules fill back up with homework and after-school routines.
Organizers are still accepting sign-ups, with a particular interest in those with kidfriendly offerings.
As the first event of its kind on Mill Ave, the block party is as much about building community as it is about business. The five owners are hoping Jacksonville turns out to help make it a success and a tradition worth repeating.
For vendor inquiries or more information, contact Reinas at 910-238-4231 or email info@reinasnc.com.
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AI Driving Up Rates and Battery Value
By Kayla Dorsey Senior Marketing Coordinator, Cape Fear Energy Systems
Has your electric bill felt higher lately? You're not imagining it.
North Carolina businesses are getting squeezed from three directions at once: rates are climbing, billing structures are shifting, and the grid itself is under more pressure than it has been in decades.
Any one of these on its own would be worthy of attention. Together, they're the reason battery storage is having a moment that has nothing to do with the next hurricane.
What's Driving Rates Higher
Rate increases aren't new, but the scale of this one is hard to ignore.
Duke Energy Progress is currently seeking a 15% multiyear rate increase through 2028 due to aging infrastructure, extreme weather costs, and a customer base that's growing faster than expected.
According to their CEO, electricity demand is growing roughly ten times faster than utilities had planned for, with data centers responsible for over 85% of the load growth expected from new economic development projects.
But, that demand doesn't stay inside a data center's fence line. While proposed policy changes are being considered, the cost of infrastructure upgrades gets spread across every ratepayer, commercial accounts included.
Rates , Demand Charges, and Timing
Rates going up is only half the story. The other half is how you get charged.
Most commercial accounts on both Jones-Onslow EMC and Duke Energy pay fixed perkWh energy rates, plus demand charges based on their single highest usage spike each month. But for some Duke customers, that per-kWh rate could vary by the time of day.
Offsetting energy consumption with solar panels solves only part of the problem. The other is how to level out your energy spikes to minimize demand charges, or (for those on a variable per-kWh rate) how to avoid drawing grid power during peak hours.
A Grid Under More Strain
Then, there's the reliability question.
Data center growth is quickly highlighting how antiquated our grid truly is. A lot of it is decades old, and some legacy systems that help to balance demand surges and divert power during outages were not designed to connect to networks, much less the internet.
The truth is, our grid was simply built for a different usage pattern, and every winter cold snap, summer heat wave, and hurricane pushes it closer to its limit.
Now, this doesn't mean the lights are about to go out any day now. But, when the grid does suffer an outage, it's the businesses that rely on a stable power supply the most that suffer the greatest.
Dixon Business Alliance Needs You!
The Dixon Business Alliance (DBA) seeks individuals who want to be part of the unique and meaningful opportunity to shape the future of business and finance education for Dixon High School students and who can participate as part
Why a Battery Answers All Three at Once
A battery doesn't just answer one of these pressures; it answers all three. It shaves the demand spike that sets your monthly charge. It shifts load away from the most expensive pricing windows. And it keeps critical operations running if the grid falters.
For years, the battery pitch was almost entirely about resilience: keep the lights on during the storm. That's still true, and still worth a lot on the coast. But it's not the whole pitch anymore. A battery has quietly become a financial tool as much as an insurance policy. There's also a reason to move on this sooner rather than later, especially if solar isn't part of your setup yet. The federal 30% commercial solar tax credit ends for systems placed in service after December 31, 2027.
And commercial installation timelines aren't quick. Depending on system complexity and required approval, a commercial project can take anywhere from 4 to 18 months from first conversation to system activation.
Is a Battery Right for Your Business?
There are a few signs that battery storage might be worth considering for your business:
• You have sharp usage spikes that drive up your demand charge
• You run a lot of electricity during peak windows
• You run equipment or operations that can't tolerate downtime
• You already have solar and want to get the most value out of it
Every business's load profile is different. The right system size comes down to your actual usage data, your rate structure, and how much time is left on the incentives that apply to you.
The Bottom Line
Rates are climbing, billing is getting more time- and demand -sensitive, and the grid is carrying more than it was built for. Battery storage addresses all three at once. For businesses pairing it with solar, the math is especially strong right now, while the federal tax credit clock is still running.
Contact Cape Fear Energy at (910) 409-5533 or email solutions@capefearenergy.com to learn more.
of the Advisory Board or as a Business Partner.
The Advisory Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 9am at the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce.
Business Partners are needed to host job shadowing students, conduct site visits, serve as guest speakers, and participate in mock interviews and career fairs.
Interested? Scan the QR code:
The Treasured Parrot is Back
Treasure is back in the vacation rental business. Four years after selling that part of their real estate business, Treasure has re-entered the market with new branding and a once-retired parrot.
Treasure Realty launched in 1990 as a sales and rental company. Rentals included long-term and vacation rentals. In 2022, they sold the vacation rental business to Vacasa. In 2023, Treasure became an independently owned and operated affiliate of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
In July, Treasure Vacation Rentals launched as a separate business, with CEO Rachel Eyster at the helm. Although technically a new business, the vacation rental operations rely on the experience of Treasure Realty and several of its team members, including Eyster.
Eyster, who has been with the Treasure real estate company for 10 years, says the new business is completely separate from the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure company. She explains, “there's common ownership and we work closely together as far as being in the same parking lot. But they are two separate companies.”
As to the launch of the new business, Eyster says, “ we decided that we wanted to get back into vacation rentals. We missed it.”
She adds, “we spent the last four years watching the industry evolve and taking a look at what we could do better to improve on what we did before, taking a look at what homeowners and clients needed in this area. And so we were just excited. We wanted to get back in it. So that's why we're here.”
The vacation rental team includes Eyster, Isaac Baker, Tyler Adams, Samual Adams, and Tim Baker. They are happy to be working together again, Eyster says.
Eyster began her Treasure career as the corporate
bookkeeper. She also worked in sales and in the rental department on Saturdays. She explains that she “started by taking reservations and then just kind of learned little pieces of everything, worked my way up. I was the broker in charge of Treasure Realty's rental department before it sold in 2022.”
From there, she transitioned to the position of business development director for the company. During the past four years, she says she and her team were working on plans to determine “how we can best lay a foundation to be successful and set a new legacy.”
The new business model is somewhat different. Renters will no longer wait in line to check in at a counter. Eyster says, “we're ready to meet them on site so no more long lines at the counter. Those days are over.” Renters will not have to pick up keys as all rental properties will be equipped with keyless entry, which Eyster calls “ a game changer.”
Other changes include “setting foot in the property regularly,” she explains. “We're going to make sure our inspections matter. We're going to make sure that the housekeeping teams are treated well and that they are held accountable. We're lucky to have the best of the best vendors around us.”
The “best” also applies to the homeowners who work with Treasure on their vacation rentals. Eyster explains that “we're thoughtfully growing this time in a way where the properties that we welcome onto our program are going to be the best of the best. The homeowners are going to be conscientious.” “We are not trying to be exactly what we were before. The quality of the guest interactions, the quality of the client service and the client interactions, even if you were happy with Treasure before, it's going to be better.” She adds, “it is a brand new day.”
Treasure Vacation Rentals treasurerentals.com/ 910-328-4444 stay@treasurerentals.com
The Treasure Vacation Rentals team: Rachel Eyster, Isaac Baker, and Tyler Adams.
Photo provided by Eyster
Treasure Vacation Rental’ s ribbon cutting on July 23.
Photo provided by Tammy Proctor
Networking Opportunities
Business Success Summit
Friday, October 9
8:30am-2:00pm Sturgeon City
onslowbusiness.com/ conference/
Brainstorming / Networking
Monthly networking session for sales professionals in all types of business, sharing ideas and encouragement
Thursday, August 27
5:30pm-7:30pm
Biagio’s Piazza (between Clove Hitch and Ransom Room) Jacksonville
A Network Empowering Women (ANEW)
Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 Location changes each month. Check their Facebook page for details on the August meetings.
Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce
All events are free. To register visit the Chamber’s website: topsailchamber.org/events
Coastal Connections
August 27, 5:30-7:30pm Sandpiper Brewing Holly Ridge
Note: WomenConnect attendees order from menus at their own expense.
WomenConnect in Sneads Ferry
August 4, Noon
Rick’s Restaurant
WomenConnect in Hampstead August 13, Noon
Nineteen Restaurant
Mornings with WomenConnect
August 27, 8:30am Southern Roots Grill
Men’s Business Alliance
August 11, 8:30am Chamber office
Coastal Masterminds August 18, 4:00pm-5:30pm Chamber office
Veteran Business Collective Chapter Meeting Thursday, August 20 6:00pm-9:00pm Carolina Ale House, Jacksonville
Breakfast Meeting Friday, August 7, 8am Blend Café
veteransbusinesscollective.org/ chapters-events
Richlands Chamber of Commerce
Last Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m.
200 S. Wilmington Street www.richlandschamberofcom merce.com/
Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Holds “networking events year-round, including our Business After Hours and General Membership Meetings held monthly.” swansborochamber.org
Waterway Women’s Connect Tuesday, August 25, 12 p.m.
Preston’s Corner Bar & Grill, downtown Swansboro.
RSVP by calling (910)-326-1174
Professional Book Club
Leaders Eat Last Wednesday, August 12 10am-12noon Bistro 1940 618 New Bridge St., Jacksonville
She Means Business Roundtable
Meets “the last Monday of each month at a different location within the county.” Check their Facebook page for details on the next meeting.
Send your networking event to onslowbiz@words-working.net.
Local Businesses Invited to Support Community Back-to-School Initiative
Submitted by Jena Ashcraft
Carolina Rivers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is calling on local businesses to join a meaningful community effort that brings together residents, military volunteers, and families in need.
On August 20, 2026, the facility will host a Back-toSchool Backpack Giveaway, providing local children with backpacks filled with essential school supplies. The event is especially meaningful because the project has been led by Carolina Rivers residents, many of whom are medically unable to leave the facility but remain committed to serving their community.
Adding to the impact, local United States Marines will volunteer alongside residents to help organize and distribute
backpacks, creating a unique opportunity for generations to work together in support of local families.
Carolina Rivers is seeking sponsorships and donations of food, beverages, or financial contributions to provide a meal for the Marines, volunteers, and families attending the event. Donations of items such as pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs, bottled water, chips, and desserts are welcome.
“This event is about more than school supplies,” said Activities Director Nicolette Molina. “It’ s about giving our residents the opportunity to continue making a difference while bringing our community together through service and compassion.”
Businesses that choose to participate will not only help children start the school year prepared, but also demonstrate their commitment to supporting local families, honoring our military, and strengthening community connections.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the event or making a donation are encouraged to contact Carolina Rivers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s Activities Department at (626) 633-6092 or crv09-act @carolinariverscare.com
MFCU Hosts Back 2 School Resource Fair
By Madeline Riley
Marine Federal Credit Union is looking for vendors interested in sharing free resources with the community.
Business Outreach Specialist Madeline Riley emphasizes that they don’t want any of the families to feel pressured to have to buy anything! Vendors that would be the best fit would be family friendly businesses/orgs that our participants can use throughout the school year and have as a resource. For
example, they will have participants who represent health care, entertainment, and non-profits for general needs.
If businesses are interested in sharing resources, but are unable to attend MFCU plans on having a table available for extras and brochures that families can pick-up and take as well.
At this time, they plan on having the event outside.
Vendors should be prepared to provide their own table, chairs, tents, and tent weights for the day of the event.
Additionally, they are accepting in-kind donations of school supplies and sanitary/ hygiene items.
They anticipate serving around 500 families, but Riley says they greatly appreciate any and all help! They will pick-up or receive by drop off by August 3rd .
Vendors interested in donating or participating should contact Marketing@marinefederal.org , and Riley will follow-up via email with more details for the day of the event.
JOED Searching for Operations Manager
Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development (JOED) is seeking a highly organized and motivated Operations Manager to support the dayto-day operations of their growing organization.
This full-time position works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, investors, and
community partners while helping advance economic development throughout Onslow County.
If you’re a proactive professional with strong organizational and communication skills, they want to hear from you.
Full job description is available at: https://joednc.com/wpcontent/uploads/2026/07/ JOED-Operations-ManagerPD-26.pdf
Learn more about JOED at https://joednc.com/.
Richlands Growth, Downtown Revival Moving Forward
A town that is anticipating a number of new national brands and is focused on renovating and reviving its downtown, Richlands is growing in all directions.
Town Administrator Chris Roberson says businesses coming to Richlands in the near future include Wawa, Cook Out, Zaxby’s, and Sheetz. There are also commercial developments that will feature other types of businesses, including possibly a restaurant and a coffee shop.
To accompany the commercial growth, “quite a few residential subdivisions have been developed, scattered across the town,” Roberson says. He adds, that “from a growth standpoint, things have really taken off.”
Roberson emphasizes, though, that even though “things are going to be changing for the
town,” that they are trying to achieve a balance of “good growth.” He says that, with a current population of just over 2,500, they want to be “able to maintain a small-town atmosphere.”
Part of that atmosphere can be felt in Richland’s downtown area. The town was established in 1880 and much of it at the time was located in a central business district, surrounded by homes. Roberson says some of the homes “have been here probably since the onset,” adding that the downtown area has “gone through quite a bit of a transformation.”
An effort to return the downtown area to a vital business district is the goal of Revive Downtown Richlands (RDR), a nonprofit organization. Operating separately from the town but with the input of town officials
such as Roberson, the organization describes itself as volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to supporting the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of our historic downtown district.”
The downtown area has seen some decline in which businesses have closed and “many of the buildings are in need of significant repair,” says Roberson. He adds that in many towns and cities, “these downtown areas are just forgotten.”
RDR is working to make sure that does not happen to downtown Richlands. Roberson says, “the main focus of RDR is to bring life back into the downtown area that at one point in time was
smaller businesses in those empty buildings, building renovation, improve facades and things of that nature, and just anything that would benefit the downtown merchants and the people who live downtown.”
Revive Downtown Richlands board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM at Richlands Town Hall and are open to the public.
Richlands Town Administrator Chris Roberson
Nonprofit Spotlight: Museum of the Marine
A conversation between Major General Ray Smith and his wife, Colleen, in 1999 spurred a movement that became a place where legacies are preserved and history is recognized. The Carolina Museum of the Marine opened its doors on June 8, 2026, completing the work that arose from Colleen’ s dream.
Major General Smith served as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from 1997 to 1999. According to Museum VP of Operations Steve Lunsford, Colleen “was in awe of all the things that the Marines and sailors in this area did, that they’ve always continued to do.” She felt that a local museum should be built to preserve that legacy.
Although Colleen passed away that year, her dream was not forgotten. General Smith gathered a group of business leaders and a few retired Marines to begin the grassroots project.
Key members of that team included Col Bruce Gombar, who had served as General Smith’s Chief of Staff, and Sergeant Major Joe Houle. Lunsford says the work to build the museum “really started as a grassroots effort.” At the beginning, members of the planning team would literally knock on doors to gather support.
They began raising money by selling bricks for the walkway that now leads to the front of the museum. Lunsford adds, “and the community loved it.” That effort lasted for several years, until they were able to get the financial support they needed to begin the first phase of the museum.
Lunsford explains that “with the Marine Corps, you typically can ’t build until you have the money to build it all.” The team had enough to build the Patriot walkway and the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor sculpture. A few years later, General Al Gray, retired Marine Corps Commandant, came onboard to give the project “ a significant amount of
credibility,” Lunsford says. The group was then approved for a state grant and so was able to begin the work toward building the full museum.
They broke ground in May of 2024 and opened their doors just over two years later.
Museum President and Chief Executive Officer MajGen Joe Shrader, USMC (Ret) says there are two things that are unique about the Carolina Museum of the Marine. First, it is an independent nonprofit. He explains that “most military museums are in some way, shape, or form governmentfunded and government-run.” He credits the Onslow County community with the development and support of the museum.
The second unique aspect is that it is “not the entire Marine Corps story. It’s just about the Marines who served.” He adds that “for all the services, but especially for the Marines, we're extremely proud of our legacy and the reputation that we have.”
Shrader joined the museum as its President and CEO after being asked to do so by the previous CEO, with whom he had served, and who ”asked if I would help put their operations together.” For Shrader’s last 10 years in the Marine Corps, his specialty was program management, which fit well with the new project’ s needs.
“One of the things that has been instilled in me,” Shrader says, “was one of our commandants that said the Marine Corps will be around as long as the nation wants it and needs it.” He adds, “And so part of that is our legacy. We're small in service, we punch well above our weight, and have a proud legacy and traditions. I want to be part of that. As most all Marines are. That's why we continue to do this.”
Carolina Museum of the Marine
109 Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville
www.museumofthemarine.org
VP of Operations, Steve Lunsford
MajGen Joe Shrader, USMC (Ret), President and Chief Executive Officer
and displays
Exhibits
at the Carolina Museum of the Marine
Business Movements
New Richlands Businesses
New businesses planned for the NC-24 corridor in Richlands include Zaxby’ s, Cook Out, Wawa, Sheetz, and Fairfield Inn. See the full story on Richlands growth and downtown revival efforts on page 7.
Also in Richlands, Good Works Coffee has recently opened at Victory Church, located at 200 Advance Lane. Kelly and Cali Yore previously owned Coffee and Co on NC24 in Richlands.
Sneads Ferry Dog Boutique
Beach Bones Coastal Dog Boutique is opening soon at 892 NC Highway 210 in Sneads Ferry.
More information about their products and services is available at https:// beachbonesboutique.com/.
Swansboro Restaurant Under New Management
The Boro Restaurant and Bar, located at 109 Front St, in Swansboro, has announced that it is now under new management. While stating that “a new chapter begins,” with “renewed leadership” and “exceptional hospitality,” the new management emphasizes that they will continue to offer “the Boro experience you know and love.”
Do you have business news to share?
Opening a new business?
Adding a location?
Expanding your product or service line?
Send us your news release!
Email onslowbiz@wordsworking.net.
Deadline for the September issue is August 27.
Genesis Block Foundation Opens Block Basics Entrepreneurship Program
By Aariene Hansley
Genesis Block Foundation, in partnership with The Neighborhood Improvement Services Department with the City of Jacksonville, is now accepting applications for its upcoming Block Basics entrepreneurship program, a free four week cohort designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality.
Block Basics is an introductory business development program created for individuals who have a business concept but need guidance on how to successfully launch and build a strong foundation. Throughout the four week program, participants will gain practical knowledge, resources, and support to confidently begin their entrepreneurial journey.
The curriculum includes:
• Developing a business idea and entrepreneurial mindset
• Identifying target customers and conducting market research
• Choosing the appropriate business structure
• Registering a business and obtaining an EIN
• Opening a business bank account
• Establishing basic bookkeeping and financial systems
• Understanding branding, marketing, and customer engagement
• Building a roadmap for launching a successful business
"Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially for
first time entrepreneurs," said Aariene Hansley, Interim Executive Director and CEO of Genesis Block Foundation.
"Block Basics was created to simplify the process and equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge, confidence, and resources needed to take the first step toward entrepreneurship."
The program is part of Genesis Block Foundation's ongoing commitment to strengthening small businesses and expanding access to entrepreneurial education throughout southeastern North Carolina.
Through its partnership with the City of Jacksonville, the organization continues to remove barriers and create opportunities for residents
interested in starting and growing successful businesses.
Community members who have considered starting a business, launching a side hustle, or transforming a passion into a profitable venture are encouraged to apply.
For additional information or to register, scan the QR code or contact Genesis Block Foundation at info@genesisblockfoundation. org
Getting a GSA Schedule Contract: Why an Early Referral Matters
By Michael Williams, SBTDC GCAP Counselor
Many small business owners view a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract as a gateway to federal contracting success. While a GSA MAS Contract can be a valuable business development tool for the right company, it is often misunderstood as a contract that automatically generates government sales. Many business owners expect opportunities to appear immediately after award, but the reality is much different.
A GSA MAS Contract is simply a contract vehicle that provides federal agencies with an efficient way to purchase commercial products and services. Success still requires market research, business development, customer engagement, competitive pricing, and ongoing contract management.
Understanding the GSA MAS Program
The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program is a long-term, governmentwide Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract that allows federal agencies to purchase from pre-approved vendors. While obtaining a GSA MAS Contract provides access to a large federal marketplace, it does not guarantee sales.
In fact, obtaining and maintaining a GSA MAS Contract requires significant preparation, compliance, reporting, and ongoing administration. Before pursuing one, businesses should carefully evaluate whether they are truly ready for the federal marketplace. GSA even provides a Readiness Assessment through its Vendor Support Center (https:// vsc.gsa.gov) to help businesses
determine their eligibility and preparedness.
Common Misconceptions
Businesses frequently believe that:
• A GSA MAS Contract guarantees government sales.
• A GSA MAS Contract is required to sell to the federal government.
• Any business can benefit from obtaining a GSA MAS Contract.
• The application process is simple and inexpensive.
In reality, many successful federal contractors do not hold a GSA MAS Contract. Federal agencies have numerous acquisition methods available, and a Schedule contract is only one of many paths into the government marketplace.
Questions to Consider
When discussing a GSA MAS Contract with a client, it may be helpful to ask the following questions:
• Does the company already have experience selling to government agencies?
• Have federal customers that purchase the company’ s products or services been identified?
• Can the business demonstrate at least two years of commercial sales history?
• Does management understand federal compliance requirements?
• Does the company have the resources necessary to administer a government contract?
The answers to these questions can help determine whether a
business is ready to pursue a GSA MAS Contract or whether another government contracting strategy may be more appropriate.
Why Contact the SBTDC GCAP Team?
The SBTDC Government Contract Assistance Program (GCAP) specializes in helping businesses evaluate and pursue federal contracting opportunities, including GSA MAS Contracts.
GCAP counselors can assist with:
• Assessing federal contracting readiness.
• Determining whether a GSA MAS Contract aligns with business goals.
• Reviewing market demand and competitive positioning.
• Understanding solicitation requirements and compliance obligations.
• Evaluating alternative government contracting pathways.
• Developing a strategic approach to entering or expanding in the federal marketplace.
This specialized guidance helps businesses avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions before investing significant time and resources in the GSA MAS process.
Choosing the Right Path to Government Contracting
Not every business should pursue a GSA MAS Contract. For some companies, obtaining one too early can create administrative burdens without generating meaningful revenue. Early engagement with the GCAP team helps businesses understand their options, evaluate their readiness, and develop government contracting strategies that support longterm growth and success.
Businesses interested in federal contracting or obtaining a GSA MAS Contract should consider connecting with the SBTDC Government Contract Assistance Program Team at gcap@sbtdc.org. A strategic conversation early in the process can help ensure they pursue the opportunities that best align with their business goals, capabilities, and readiness.
The SBTDC is a business advisory service providing confidential, no-cost services for growing and developing small to mid-sized businesses. The Wilmington SBTDC is administered by UNCW on behalf of the UNC System and is operated in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Contact the Wilmington SBTDC office at 910-962-3744 or uncw@sbtdc.org.
August: Courage in Motion
By Jessica Marshall
August carries a quiet pressure. The year is no longer new, and the finish line is still out of reach. Summer has settled in, targets set back in January feel further away than they should, and the calendar seems to be moving faster than the results.
This is often the month when motivation wavers and doubt slips in quietly, disguised as perfectionism or waiting for better timing. It rarely announces itself. It shows up instead as one more round of edits, one more day of research, one more “not quite yet.”
August gently asks you to move anyway. Progress does not require certainty; it responds to courage. Momentum is built by honoring the work that happens when conditions aren ’t ideal, and clarity comes only after action, not before it.
Guy Kawasaki reminds us:
“Ideas are easy.
Implementation is hard.”
August is about respecting the unglamorous middle, the part where effort matters more than inspiration, and where real growth quietly takes shape. It is the space between the idea and the result, and it is where most businesses are actually built.
This idea is backed by research as well as reflection. Physician and Harvard Business Review contributor Rajani Katta writes that while striving for high standards has real value, unchecked perfectionism quietly erodes momentum. Her research points to a practical starting point: weigh the effort a task truly requires against the benefit it delivers,
rather than defaulting to flawless on everything.
Katta also points out that the hardest part is often simply starting, since the pressure to produce something polished can lead to avoidance and delay. Her guidance is to let a first attempt be rough on purpose. A workable draft, built quickly and refined afterward, moves a project forward in a way that endless preparation never will.
Finishing carries its own resistance too. Katta notes that the final stretch of any project is often the hardest to close, precisely because there is always one more adjustment that could be made. Her advice is to build in feedback early and again near the end, so “done” becomes a decision you make on purpose, not a point you never quite reach.
Together, the poetry of the season and the research point in the same direction: courage is not the absence of doubt. It is the decision to keep moving through it, one honest step at a time.
Translated into the daily work of running a business, this becomes less about willpower and more about a few deliberate practices. Below is how to put it into motion this month.
Admin Advice: Move Forward with Intention
• Weigh Effort Against Impact: Before starting a task, ask honestly how much precision it actually requires. A client-facing proposal may deserve your full polish; an internal note may only need to be clear. Reserve your highest
standards for what genuinely calls for them, and let everything else move faster.
• Finish One Meaningful Task: Choose something that’s lingered longer than it should have and bring it to completion, even if it feels imperfect. Build a rough version first, then improve it in a second pass rather than trying to get it right in one attempt. The relief that follows creates space and confidence.
• Set Gentle Deadlines: Commit to realistic timelines and honor them, allowing consistency to rebuild trust in yourself. A deadline you actually keep matters more than an ambitious one you quietly abandon.
• Ask for Feedback Early, Then Again Near the End: A quick check-in partway through a project can save hours of rework later, and a final check before release helps you know when something is genuinely finished rather than merely familiar. Let other people help you see what you can no longer see clearly on your own.
• Act, Then Adjust: Let action come before
overthinking. Reflection works best once something exists to learn from, so give yourself permission to begin before every variable feels settled.
• Notice Progress: Keep a short record of what moved forward this month so your confidence is rooted in evidence, not emotion. On the days doubt creeps back in, that record becomes proof that you are, in fact, moving.
August reminds us that courage isn’t loud. It’s steady. Every small act of followthrough strengthens your clarity and dissolves fear. Progress doesn’t ask for perfection, only presence and willingness.
Source:
Rajani Katta, “Don’t Let Perfectionism Slow You Down,” Harvard Business Review
https://hbr.org/2024/03/dont -let-perfectionism-slow-youdown
Run It Right Business Coaching & Strategy www.runitright.net
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OMH Nationally Recognized for Commitment to Excellence
By Victoria Morales
Onslow Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Silver Plus quality achievement award for its ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for people with heart failure, including shortening hospital stays.
About 6.7 million U.S. adults are living with heart failure (HF), a number that is expected to rise to more than 8.7 million by 2030, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Despite the name, HF doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working it means the heart is struggling to pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body. While there is no cure, many people with heart failure can live a quality life by working closely with their health care team on a treatment plan that may include medication, symptom monitoring and lifestyle changes.
The Get With The GuidelinesHeart Failure quality achievement award recognizes
hospitals that consistently demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most current, evidencebased guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, supporting care teams in delivering guideline-directed care. The program is designed to shorten hospital stays and increasing healthy days at home.
“Onslow Memorial Hospital is committed to delivering highquality care by following the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines,” said Jo Malfitano, AVP Patient Safety Officer. “Get With The Guidelines helps our care teams put proven science into practice every day. Research shows this approach can support better recovery, with the ultimate goal of helping more people in Onslow live longer, healthier lives.”
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for award recognition by demonstrating
sustained performance in delivering quality care for patients with heart failure. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants provide patients with education and tools to help them manage their condition at home.
“We are proud to recognize the leadership and dedicated care teams at Onslow Memorial Hospital for their strong commitment to improving care for people living with heart failure,” said Sabra Lewsey, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Heart Failure System of Care Advisory Group.
“Hospitals that participate in Get With The GuidelinesHeart Failure, a 20-year flagship quality improvement program, often achieve better patient outcomes, including fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates benefiting patients, families, communities and health care systems alike.”
Onslow Memorial Hospital is also recognized on the American Heart Association’ s Target: Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. Hospitals receiving this award meet specific criteria that improve medication adherence, provide early follow -up care and coordination, and enhance patient education. The goal is to further reduce hospital readmissions and help patients improve their quality of life.
Onslow Memorial Hospital additionally received the American Heart Association’ s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidencebased care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.
Do you want free print copies of Onslow Business to give your team members and customers? All you need to do is email onslowbiz@words-working.net and let us know how many and where to deliver them each month.
Effective Communication for Department of War Contracting
By Chris Rabassi
I am the small business professional at Marine Corps Installations East. I help businesses understand how to be eligible and competitive for Department of War contracts. Part of being competitive for Department of War contracts is effective communication.
This article will not be an overview of all the different types of discussions and negotiations in the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul. You should review the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, so you can be familiar with where, when and how to discuss and negotiate with contracting officers. However, this article will focus on more basic considerations regarding effective communication. You can find the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul at: www.acquistion.gov/faroverhaul
So, what is effective communication with Department of War contracting? What is the desired result of effective communication? The answer to both is effective communication elicits a desired result. In the context of Department of War contracts, the desired result is a contract award. So, how does effective communication lead to a contract award? Let’s start with how you present your business.
The first step to presenting your business is your capability statement. The best capability statements tie to a known requirement. How do you find known requirements? The North Carolina Military Business Center (www.ncmbc.us) and Small Business Technology Development Center (www.sbtdc.org) work closely will all the branches of the military, as well as Federal, State and Local agencies. Therefore, they can provide insight into government requirements. Small business professionals can also help
provide insight and they can be found at: www.business.defense.gov
So, once you find requirements matching your supply, or service, your capability statement should include:
#1: The requirement and how will you meet the supply/ service requirement. This is not the place to say how long you have been in business, how much you love supporting the warfighter, or other points best suited for a business website. Put simply:
“our company sees the government has a need for (requirement), our company can meet this requirement by (responsive supply chain, quality product, reducing equipment down-time, etc..). “
The above is a basic example, but is a good start for your capability statement.
#2: Applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and Product Service Codes. These codes help the contracting office understand what your business provides.
#3: Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE). The contracting office uses these codes in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) and the Small Business Dynamic Search (https:// search.certificications.sba.gov) to determine if your business is eligible for Department of War contracts.
#4: Business e-mail, phone number and point of contact.
A capability statement should be no more than one page and tailored to actual government requirements.
Now that you have a capability statement, who do you talk to? To find small business professionals you should go to www.business.defense.gov When talking to a small business professional, the first thing you need to do is understand if you are talking to
the office that matches your capabilities. This is because every contracting office does not have the same contract authorities for supplies and services. Once you find the right office to talk to, be brief in your conversations. Same concepts for a capability statement apply to conversations with small business professionals. Longwinded overviews of your business history, and how much you want to support the warfighter will most likely lose the listener quickly.
Once you have made the connection, and found a requirement, the time has now come to propose. The System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) is the primary government point of entry contracting offices use to post solicitations and other forms of communication (requests for information, intents to sole source, award notices, etc). The most important aspect of communication in proposals is following up. Meaning, you must ensure you get confirmation from the contracting office that they received your proposal.
Getting a “read receipt” is not enough. Another important aspect of communication regarding proposals is asking questions. Some solicitations will afford a question-andanswer period, and that period will be identified in the solicitation. Ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to ask questions!
This article is just a fraction of the information you can receive from small business professionals, the North Carolina Military Business Center and the Small Business Technology Development Center. All of these resources are no-cost and are valuable resources for your business.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact me at chris.rabassi@usmc.mil
Onslow Business is published on the 3rd of each month (or the business day closest to the 3rd).
This unique and valuable business publication is available free at almost 100 locations throughout the county.
Onslow Business is sustained by advertising. Want to be a part of it?
Check out onslowbusiness.com to learn how to promote your business, find print copies, and read previous issues.
Thanks for reading!
Training Opportunities
Public Speaking
Think Fast - Speak ClearlyLead Boldly with Jacksonville Toastmasters Every Tuesday at 7pm Miller-Motte College 105 New Frontier Way Jacksonville 3478.toastmastersclubs.org/ directions
Lunch and Learn:
Streamlining Your Small Business: Setting Up Effective Systems & Processes
August 13, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM CFCC, Surf City campus 621 NC-210 E, Surf City business.topsailchamber.org/ ap/Events/ Register/4lFjnYWFRCMCx
Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center coastalcarolina.edu/servicesand-support/servicescommunity/sbc/
Small Business Taxes
Tue, Aug 4 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Getting Found Online: Platforms, Search, and Visibility - Webinar
Wed, Aug 5 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Small Business CouncilSmall Business Tour at Mine Safety Appliances
Thu, Aug 6 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Lunch and Learn: Storytelling That SellsWebinar
Tue, Aug 11 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
To Your Credit- Webinar
Wed, Aug 12 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Marketing to the Federal Government -Webinar
Tue, Aug 18 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Nonprofit Executive Roundtable: What You Need to Know About Active Shooter Events
Wed, Aug 19 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Boots to Business Thu, Aug 20 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
2 sessions ending Fri, Aug 21
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
BNFAC - Customer Experience & Repeat Sales - Webinar
Tue, Aug 25 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Getting Grant Ready 101
Wed, Aug 26 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Federal Contracting
Thu, Aug 27 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Small Business Bootcamp
Wed, Sep 2 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Small Business Council: Content Creation Through Story Telling
Thu, Sep 3 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce Commerce Center
Please note: If you attend a session at the CCCC SBC, complete the follow-up survey. The survey helps the SBC staff tremendously as they plan future sessions and when they report their attendance for future funding.
CEO Day
The Third Space 516 Court St Ste 200 Downtown Jacksonville
August 11, 10am-1pm https://www.runitright.net/ ceo-days
Send your upcoming training events to onslowbiz@wordsworking.net by August 27 to be included in the September issue.
Friday, October 9 8:30am-2:00pm
Sturgeon City
50 Court St, Jacksonville
onslowbusiness.com/conference/
Join us for the Business Success Summit, featuring industry experts who will share valuable knowledge, insights, and real-world experiences to help businesses grow and succeed.
Participants will enjoy interactive learning sessions, connect with business resource vendors, and network with others in business. Lunch is provided.
Registration, vendor tables, and sponsorships are now available.
Thank you sponsors!
