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Massachusetts first state to expand supplier diversity program for LGBT businesses

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced this month that he will expand the state's supplier diversity program to include veteran, disabled, and LGBT-owned businesses.

"We thank Governor Baker and his administration for their commitment to the LGBT community in Massachusetts," said National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. "LGBT-inclusive supplier diversity means that there will be greater LGBT business visibility across Massachusetts."

The state will take the first steps of creating certification programs for LGBT and disabled-owned businesses before the state sets annual contracting goals for these categories. The veteran-owned businesses designation, on the other hand, will be recognized by the state if a company is already registered through the federal VetBiz certification process.

In addition to the expansion of the state's supplier diversity program, the executive order amends the state's small and minority business contracting goals. The state will aim to increase small business spending from 2.5 percent to 3.3 percent and minority-owned business spending from 6 percent to 7 percent. The goal for women-owned businesses, meanwhile, is being raised from 12 percent to 13 percent.