Senate Approves New Marketing Tool for Veteran-Owned Businesses

HARRISBURG – Veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard who own their own business could have a valuable new marketing tool under a bill approved by the Senate today, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).

Senate Bill 957 would direct the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create special logos to promote veteran-owned businesses. The DMVA would also be charged with development of the application and necessary criteria to receive the designation, as well as verification of military status of the business owners seeking a logo.

The proposal mirrors a successful program currently being utilized in the state of Wisconsin. Bartolotta said the bill would help create new opportunities for members of Pennsylvania communities to support the brave men and women who have served in the military at a time when that support is desperately needed.

“Pennsylvanians are eternally grateful to our military heroes, and there is a strong willingness in our communities to support the businesses they create when they return to civilian life,” Bartolotta said. “Economists predict that it will take years, or maybe even decades for us to recover from the financial consequences of COVID-19. Nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of our veterans not only shows our thanks to the brave individuals who served our Commonwealth and our nation, but it also helps the economy by supporting new job options and business opportunities at a time when they are needed most.”

The bill also includes protections against using the logo fraudulently to ensure that an individual who falsely holds him or herself out to be a veteran for the purpose of obtaining this designation would be held accountable. 

The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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CONTACT: Colleen Greer (717) 787-1463

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