VAMBOA: Hats off to Ohio Lawmakers
By Debbie Gregory.
There are a number of states that have laws or executive orders that aim to assist Veteran owned businesses. Some states, such as California and New York, require a percentage of state contracts be set aside for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.
Ohio lawmakers are currently considering a bill to provide a bid preference of 5 percent or $5, 000 to Veteran-owned businesses competing for state contracts.
State Rep. Niraj Antani, the Republican joint sponsor of the bipartisan bill, rightfully feels that Veterans deserve a preference for having served their country.
“It’s our moral obligation to do what we can to help them,” Antani said.
The bill has had its first hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee. It will require at least one more hearing before a committee vote can be made on sending it to the full House.
According to a 2007 U.S. Census Bureau survey, there are more than 88,000 Veteran-owned businesses in Ohio and 2.4 million nationally.
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Wright State focuses on the Veteran business community by helping Veterans learn about entrepreneurial opportunities. They also assist Veterans by providing resources and contact information for employment options and other veteran related services.
It is widely accepted that skills such as leadership and discipline gained through military training make Veterans great entrepreneurs.
“Veterans are a cornerstone of small business ownership,” said Barbara Carson, acting associate administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development. She added that Veteran business owners have helped build one of the longest periods of economic growth in U.S. history, following World War II.
Bidding preferences and set-asides for Veterans have sometimes drawn opposition from minority- and women-owned business groups concerned that adding Veterans might dilute their opportunities and slow some efforts. But most Americans will agree that the Veteran set-asides are an earned right for service to our country.
The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!
VAMBOA: Hats off to Ohio Lawmakers: By Debbie Gregory
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