National Veteran Small Business Week

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, National Veteran Small Business Week recognizes the enduring contributions and future business and commerce opportunities of our veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members; and

WHEREAS, veterans are part of the vast fabric of small businesses that underpin the entrepreneurial spirit and grassroots efforts at the local and regional level to grow our economy and shape our communities; and

WHEREAS, veterans have a unique blend of leadership, experience, and drive, coupled with a deeply imbued sense of shared responsibility for the growth and vitality of their businesses within the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 7,500 veteran-owned small businesses in Virginia, which employ thousands and contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of our Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Veteran’s programs such as the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program, Virginia’s Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) designation, and partnerships at public institutions of higher education within Virginia provide continued access to entering the small business market and afford hard-working business owners with the ability to establish, grow, and sustain their dreams; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s network of resources from both the public and private sector creates an ecosystem that fosters both collaboration and competitiveness that will continue to move Virginia forward;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 30 – November 3, 2023, as NATIONAL VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations