ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore this week announced that the state is increasing the goal for veteran-owned small businesses receiving state contracts from 1% to 3%.

The change is effective immediately and is part of an effort to diversify Maryland’s contracting landscape and support veteran-owned businesses.

“The military teaches you not just how to serve, but also how to lead. Our veteran entrepreneurs are mission-driven, hard-charging, and deeply committed to making Maryland better. We have an obligation to answer their service with our support,” said Gov. Moore. “Today, we take a critical step forward in our ongoing mission to build new pathways to wealth creation for Maryland veterans and military families.”

Maryland’s Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Program was enacted in 2010 to enhance opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses to participate in state-funded contractors.
The program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs and works with more than 51 participating agencies and departments.

The program has seen a 41% increase in certified vendors over the past fiscal year and currently includes more than 900 veteran-owned companies. The Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee, led by the Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs, is responsible for aligning Maryland’s veteran participation goals with surrounding jurisdictions.

To learn more about the Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Program, visit https://goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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