TO: Members of the New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee 

FROM: Hilary Chebra, Manager, Government Affairs, CCSNJ

RE:                            Support of:

• S2768 (Singleton / Ruiz) 
• S2769 (Singleton / Ruiz)
• S2770 (Singleton / Ruiz)
• S2771 (Singleton)
• S2772 (Singleton)

The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) would like to voice our support for the package of legislation before you today which would support the development and growth of minority and women-owned businesses in New Jersey. The package includes the following bills:

• S2768 (Singleton / Ruiz) - Authorizes State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct disparity study concerning utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in State procurement process.
• S2769 (Singleton / Ruiz) - Establishes "Minority Business Development Program" in EDA; appropriates $50 million to EDA from federal funds.
• S2770 (Singleton / Ruiz) - Establishes position of Minority Depository Institution Coordinator in EDA.
• S2771 (Singleton)- Establishes "Rural Business Development Program" in EDA; appropriates $35 million to EDA from federal funds.
• S2772 (Singleton) - Establishes "Biannual Business Matchmaker Initiative" in Department of State.

As written, these bills take several actions to assist minority and women-owned businesses in New Jersey, including requiring the State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct a disparity study in the State procurement process and creating the position of Minority Depository Institution Coordinator in EDA. These bills also establish three new programs, the Minority Business Development Program, and the Rural Business Development Program in the EDA and the Biannual Business Matchmaker Initiative the Department of State that will provide critical resources to minority and women-owned businesses. 

These bills are vital to creating and fostering a more equitable and diverse business community in New Jersey. As one of the most diverse states, New Jersey’s business community should reflect that diversity. In a time when all businesses are working to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure that minority and women-owned businesses are part of that economic recovery.  

Thank you for the ability to share our support on the above measures.