ANNAPOLIS, MD– The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs commemorated Veterans Day by hosting the 2023 Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Appreciation Breakfast at Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover. The event celebrated the achievements of local veteran entrepreneurs and the growth of the state’s Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise procurement program.
“The number of certified veteran vendors in our program has grown by 20% in the past year,” said Special Secretary Maria Martinez of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. “That translates to more opportunities for this distinguished group of entrepreneurs. We will continue to be intentional in our efforts to grow this program even further as we join Governor Moore’s quest to make this Maryland’s decade.”
Secretary Jacob R. Day of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, a U.S. Army veteran and a current Major assigned to the Army National Guard, delivered the keynote address to more than 100 small business owners and certified vendors in the state’s veteran procurement program.
“There should be no doubt that veteran-owned businesses bring so much value to cities, towns, and neighborhoods across Maryland, and we should be in the fight to attract and retain every single one that we can,” said Secretary Day. “The Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Program is a force multiplier for veteran business owners, enabling state agencies to support these businesses through access and procurement, but also allowing us to amplify their great work to consumers.”
The event brought together veterans and guests from across the state. Secretary Day and Special Secretary Martinez presented citations from Governor Wes Moore to five local veteran small business owners:
- Dr. Xavier Bruce - Uplift Energy Coaching
- Mitchel Dennis - Kym Ali Consulting
- Gloria Dent - Genergi Logistics LLC
- Gerardo Martinez - Wild Kid Acres, LLC
- Blane Miller - BH Miller Group, LLC
Following the program, attendees spent time networking with 22 different resource partners including VSBE Liaison Officers and resource organizations that offer access to capital, training programs, and business coaching.
Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel, which supports the veteran community throughout the year, generously donated the space and catering services for the event.
For more information about the VSBE Program, visit goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.
