Gov. Deval Patrick on Friday signed an executive order to increase access to public projects for disabled veterans who own small businesses, directing the Executive Office of Administration and Finance to write program requirements and guidelines to support the effort.
“This is a win on so many levels,” said Secretary of Veterans’ Services Coleman Nee. ” Disabled (veterans) will see immediate opportunities, our returning disabled veterans will have access to more jobs, and the commonwealth will see increased competition leading to reduced costs.”
The office will also create a business enterprise program to oversee the inclusion of disabled veterans in all areas of state procurement contracting, according to a statement by the governor’s office.
Patrick’s executive order marks the implementation of a law passed last year, called the Veterans Access Livelihood, Opportunity and Resources (VALOR) Act.
There are 124 service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and operating in Massachusetts, according to Patrick’s office.
