Delegate Herring gets Support from McDonnell Administration for her Bill to help Virginia’s Small Businesses

Delegate Herring’s bill HB 460 makes significant administrative changes to a key department for small businesses which includes a name change.  Through her bill, Delegate Herring seeks to change the name of the Department of Minority Enterprise to the Department of Supplier Diversity and Procurement Advocacy and permanently place the Department under the Secretary of Administration.  Since its inception in 1975, the mission of the Department has changed to include assistance for all small businesses, including businesses owned by service disabled veterans and women.

“This is a very important change”, said Delegate Herring.  “Considering our tough economic times, all Virginian’s should know that this Department is available to them to assist them in certification and getting contracts with the Commonwealth.  Entrepreneurship is good for our economy.”

Since the Department has been moved from the Department of Commerce and Labor to the Secretary of Administration, procurement dollars have increased as much as  190 % for small businesses.

“This is significant progress for Virginia”, said Delegate Herring

Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw said, “Championing the cause of small business, Delegate Herring effectively reached out in a bipartisan fashion with the new Governor’s support for HB 460.”