Key takeaways
- North Carolina state government spent $70.4 billion in fiscal 2024, the 15th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Division of Purchase and Contract, and vendors register and find bids in Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP).
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028-29 budget proposal usually comes in March.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 13 and is scheduled to adjourn July 30.
North Carolina government at a glance
| Fact | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $70.4 billion (15th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028-29 · proposal usually in March |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 13 to July 30 (199 days) |
| Central procurement office | Division of Purchase and Contract |
| Bid and vendor portal | Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) |
| State CIO | Nate Denny, Secretary and State CIO |
| Local governments | 965 total, including 313 special districts and 0 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 72 public power utilities and 32 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 30,685 (end of 2023) |
How North Carolina buys
- Central purchasing. The Division of Purchase and Contract handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our North Carolina vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Purchase thresholds
| Tier | Rule |
|---|---|
| Little or no competition | Up to $31,000 (small purchase) |
| Informal quotes | Above $31,000 up to the agency's delegation |
| Formal solicitation | Above the agency's delegation (up to $100,000 for most agencies) |
Source: G.S. 143-53.1. Agency and local thresholds can differ; see our state procurement thresholds guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. North Carolina's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028-29.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released in March. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 13 and is scheduled to adjourn July 30. January 13 is organizational day; first floor session expected January 27. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Nate Denny, Secretary and State CIO, leads the Department of Information Technology. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts 1 executive order, no laws and 2 agency policies on government AI use, plus an AI office or council. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in North Carolina
The biggest North Carolina entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | City | 964,784 residents (2025) | 14 of 100 largest cities |
| Raleigh | City | 506,306 residents (2025) | 39 of 100 largest cities |
| Greensboro | City | 308,667 residents (2025) | 67 of 100 largest cities |
| Wake County | County | 1,257,235 residents (2025) | 36 of 100 largest counties |
| Mecklenburg County | County | 1,233,383 residents (2025) | 37 of 100 largest counties |
| Wake County | School district | 160,099 students (fall 2021) | 14 of 100 largest districts |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg | School district | 143,244 students (fall 2021) | 17 of 100 largest districts |
| Guilford County | School district | 69,173 students (fall 2021) | 52 of 100 largest districts |
| Wake Technical Community College | Community college | 28,600 students | 18 of 18 largest |
| Charlotte/Douglas International | Airport | 25,873,555 passengers boarded (2025) | 11 of 100 busiest |
| Raleigh-Durham International | Airport | 7,670,956 passengers boarded (2025) | 34 of 100 busiest |
| Charlotte Water | Water utility | 1,163,701 people served | 18 of 208 largest |
| City of Raleigh Public Utilities | Water utility | 640,000 people served | 48 of 208 largest |
| Fayetteville Public Works Commission | Public power utility | 85,435 electric customers (2024) | 37 of 50 largest |
| Greenville Utilities Commission | Public power utility | 74,118 electric customers (2024) | 43 of 50 largest |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police | Police department | 1,743 sworn officers (2016) | 25 of 50 largest |
| Port of Wilmington | Port | About 289,000 Fiscal 2025 (July-June) TEUs (2025) | 16 of 16 largest |
| North Carolina DHHS, Division of Health Benefits | State agency | $41.6B budget | 8 of 16 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 965 local governments. That includes 313 special districts and 0 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 72 public power utilities and 32 electric cooperatives serve 1,889,756 customers, 32% of the state. See North Carolina utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
North Carolina state holidays in 2027
Besides the 11 federal holidays, North Carolina state offices close on these days in 2027:
- Good Friday: Friday, March 26 (About a dozen states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky (half day), Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas)
See the full 2027 federal and state holiday calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research North Carolina buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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