What types of projects require M/WBE efforts?

The minority outreach requirements in G.S. 143-128.2 apply only to building construction or repair projects. The statute does not define the term “building.” Local governments must decide on a case-by-case basis whether a particular project is subject to the statute. Though not exclusively, the word building is usually associated with construction projects that require plumbing, electrical, and heating or air conditioning contractors. Most jurisdictions interpret “building and construction repair” to mean that the requirements  do not apply to other types of construction such as streets or utilities. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), however, interprets the statute to apply to utilities. Therefore, a local government entity using grant funds from DENR for utility construction will be subject the requirements of this statute. The statute explicitly states, though, that the requirements do not apply to “prefabricated or relocatable” buildings (G.S.143-128(g)).