FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Luke Torian was elected Chair of the newly organized Virginia Minority Business Commission at the Commission’s virtual inaugural meeting Thursday morning. The Commission was created by the 2020-2022 biennial state budget to promote the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses in Virginia and evaluate best practices to expand minority business ownership.
Delegate Torian said: This Commission’s objectives will be even more important now in light of the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on small and minority-owned businesses. 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 Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to achieve its mission, as well as serving as a forum for minority business owners and advocates to voice their concerns. Legislative members of the Commission include Delegates Torian, Convirs-Fowler, Miyares, and Subramanyam, and Senators Kiggans, Petersen, and Spruill. Senator Kiggans was elected Vice Chair at the same event.
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Delegate Luke Torian represents House District 52 in the Virginia House of Delegates, serving Dale City, Woodbridge, and the towns of Dumfries and Occoquan. He has held office since 2009 and serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is also a member of the House Rules and General Laws committees.