Veteran Small Business Week

Veteran-owned small businesses make many positive contributions to local communities and economies.

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Governor Whitmer honors veterans with Veterans Small Business Week in Michigan (Courtesy, Supplied)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has recognized Oct. 31 – Nov. 3 as Veterans Small Business Week in Michigan. This event is to celebrate the positive contributions made by veteran-owned small businesses to our local communities and economies across Michigan.

“During Veterans Small Business Week, let’s support Michigan’s strong, local veteran-owned small businesses and celebrate the huge impact they have on our economy,” said Gov. Whitmer.

“Michigan’s entrepreneurs and small business owners move our state forward,” Whitmer continued. “Many are owned and operated by Michiganders who served our nation in uniform and continue to make a difference in their community. This week and every week, let’s support our veteran-owned small businesses.”

Reducing barriers for veterans

Gov. Whitmer has signed legislation to reduce barriers to professional licensure. This created an expedited path for veterans and their families to practice their licensed profession in Michigan, easing the pathway to reciprocal licenses through expedited processing and waiving initial license and application fees.

Veteran Marion Gray holds a folded American flag (U.S. Dept. Veterans Affairs)

Veterans who are interested in registering a business in Michigan may also qualify for a waiver of fees for profit corporations, limited liability companies and nonprofit corporations. Learn more here: Veterans Fee Waiver.

“LARA is proud to show appreciation for members of the armed forces and their families by offering initial license/registration and application fee waivers,” said Marlon I. Brown, acting director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. “Our department offers several licensing supports for those currently serving and for those service members transitioning from active duty. LARA also counts military training and experiences toward fulfilling the requirements for certain licenses.”

Michigan as a “Startup State” for veterans

West Michigan’s veteran-care facility flies a 30- by 50-foot flag just off Monroe Avenue NE across from Grand Rapids’ Riverside Park. (Courtesy, WKTV/K.D. Norris)

Brian L. Love, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), said small businesses are the backbone of the Michigan economy and a key part of the state’s “Make it in Michigan” economic development strategy.

“We want Michigan to be the ‘startup state’ by being the best place for veterans to start their own businesses,” Love said. “When veterans return home, they bring with them a unique skillset that is invaluable in the entrepreneurial space.

“The MVAA is here to support veterans as they return home and enter the civilian workforce or start their own small business. We know having meaningful employment saves lives and we are glad small business owners go beyond thanking our vets for their service and recognize their service by hiring them and promoting them.”

Resources for veterans

For more information on professional and entrepreneurial development for veteran-owned businesses, small business training and counseling, networking opportunities and mentoring programs, visit Veterans Entrepreneurship, the U.S. Office of Veterans Business Development or Michigan SBDC.

The MVAA helps connect veterans with federal, state and local benefits and resources they earned for their service. To learn more, veterans can contact the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET or visit www.michigan.gov/MVAA.