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  October 15, 2010

  My Fellow Citizens and Colleagues:

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  As the nation seeks to move from recession to prosperity, our mission is simple:  to empower SWaM vendors to effectively generate business with the Commonwealth. This will enable them to create more jobs and grow as the state competes in the emerging marketplaces around the world. Over the last five years, the great majority of jobs and investments announced in Virginia have been derived from the existing business base.  Small, Women-owned and Minority-owned businesses account for approximately 71% of all our jobs, and the more revenue they produce, the more new jobs they will be able to create.
  In response to the Governor’s agenda for maximum job creation and in conjunction with our legislative mandates and regulatory authority, DMBE seeks to partner with you to streamline the process, remove barriers, improve efficiency and make your experience with the Commonwealth as productive as possible. In that regard DMBE is moving rapidly to improve the process of working with SWaM businesses.  Here are a few of our initial changes:
  
  
  • DMBE has improved its internal database so that we will be able to capture data quickly and report it more efficiently.
  • DMBE has begun streamlining the certification process   
  • DMBE is creating a newsletter to report its efforts and to highlight  successes and keep the public informed of upcoming important events
  • DMBE is creating an interdepartmental advisory board that will provide feedback on ways to improve its delivery of services.

Please know that at DMBE, we are the central station for business connections.  We create opportunity for new start- ups and existing businesses and we match businesses with state procurement opportunities that fit the goods and services they provide.  We know that a diverse business base is vital to the growth of the Commonwealth.  A healthy Virginia is one that is comprised of healthy small, women-owned, minority and service-disabled veteran’s businesses.  Please join us in our efforts to accomplish this “Mighty Work” before us.

We can change things.  We will change things. The people of the Commonwealth are counting on us!  Thank you for your service and I look forward to working with each of you.

Sincerely,