Del. Torian elected chair of Virginia Minority Business Commission

Del. Luke Torian has been elected chair of the newly organized Virginia Minority Business Commission at its inaugural meeting on Thursday.

The commission was created by the 2020-2022 biennial state budget to promote growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses in Virginia and evaluate best practices to expand minority business ownership.

“This commission’s objectives will be even more important now in light of the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on small and minority-owned businesses,” said Torian (D-Dumfries), who is also chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. “We’re looking forward to getting to work in the interest of minority business owners across Virginia. Increased diversity in our small, homegrown enterprises can only strengthen the commonwealth.”

The commission will assess existing minority business assistance programs and collaborate with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to achieve its mission. It will also serve as a forum for minority business owners and advocates to voice their concerns.

Legislative members of the commission include Dels. Torian, Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D-Virginia Beach), Jason Miyares (R-Virginia Beach) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-Ashburn) and state Sens. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach), Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) and Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake). Kiggans was elected vice chair of the commission.

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