The North Carolina Legislature recognized that the national focus on Homeland Security and the immense presence of military installations in the state were generating many economic opportunities for North Carolina businesses.  They also realized that these businesses would need help matching up with the specific military opportunities that were relevant to them.

 
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), headquartered in Fayetteville, was created in 2005 to serve all of North Carolina as a bridging entity between businesses and the military.  The NCMBC’s goals are:

• To increase federal and military business for existing North Carolina companies;
• To integrate transitioning military personnel and family members into the workforce;
• To support recruitment and development of defense-related businesses in North Carolina.

 
The NCMBC accomplishes these goals by identifying the most lucrative federal and military contract opportunities and then helping companies to submit winning proposals.  The Center administers the state’s web portal MatchForce, the online vehicle for matching companies with specific contract opportunities.  The NCMBC also offers numerous workshops, participates in trade shows, and conducts employment programs to assist both companies and the military.

The Center has offices at 11 Community Colleges across the state, including one at Sandhills Community College in Moore County.

At Sandhills Community College, Linn Owen, an NCMBC Business Development Specialist, is available to counsel local businesses on how to use the NCMBC’s services and to tap into the military market.  All of the NCMBC’s services are free.  Linn can be reached at 910-728-5122 or owenl@ncmbc.us. 

>> For more information on the NCMBC, visit www.ncmbc.us.