May 3, 2018 -- In American Legion Post 1097, surrounded by veterans who have served our country, Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed the Certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses in County Contracts into law. The bill passed unanimously by the Board of Legislators.
The law aims to boost Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) by ensuring they are considered for future County contracts across all County Departments, including Westchester County Community College. Currently, there are approximately 15 certified SDVOBs operating in Westchester County in services ranging from construction to information technology.
Latimer said: “This is one of the most important things we can do to help disabled veterans make the transition to civilian and private life from a business standpoint. We believe this type of outreach will really help us get a much higher percentage of veteran owned businesses to participate in the economic strength of this County.”
County Legislator Margaret Cunzio, who introduced the bill, said: “Coming from a military family, I was honored when I proposed this piece of legislation that all my colleagues at the Board of Legislators came on board and co-sponsored this. This is the least we can do to thank those who have served our Country.”
This law intends to give Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) at least
6 percent of the County’s future contracts across all County Departments by requiring departments and offices of the County to encourage the participation of Certified SDVOBs in the County contracting process. This law does not establish a fixed “quota” requirement.
Director of the County’s Veterans Service Agency Ron Tocci said: “This is really going to help make everyone aware of the fact that there are a lot of veterans in our County that have a lot of skills and deserve this opportunity. We will be a vanguard in this County as to helping veterans gain employment opportunities through these contracts.”
Combat veteran, SDVOB owner and President of Segel & Co. in White Plains, Willian Segel, said: “What this will do for companies like mine is allow us to gain a strong foothold in the industries we work in. This not only helps us business owners, but helps all veterans. I am speechless to be living in a County that so greatly supports our veteran community.”
The full press conference can be seen HERE.