Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs and Veteran Business Resource Center launch Utah Veteran-Owned Business Registry

SALT LAKE CITY, January 9 – The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) and the Veterans Business Resource Center (VBRC) at Salt Lake Community College have launched a Veteran-owned business registry. This registry will help promote Veteran-owned businesses in Utah by allowing the public to search for and find Veteran businesses to support.

Utah is home to over 140,000 Veterans and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18,000 Utah businesses are Veteran-owned. The state continues to be recognized as one of the best performing economies in the nation and a business-friendly state. UDVMA and VBRC are dedicated to ensuring Veterans can take advantage of this success and grow their businesses.

“It is an honor to serve our Veterans and their families and we are excited to launch this new registry as another way to give back,” said Gary Harter, executive director of UDVMA. “Utah is a highly patriotic and military friendly state and many Utahns want to show their gratitude to those who have served. Now they have more ways to do so by supporting their local Veteran-owned businesses.”

“Veterans have a wealth of experience and skills that lend very well to starting and running successful businesses,” said Rick Brown, VBRC Director. “As we continue our work here at the VBRC helping Veterans and their families start and run businesses, we are pleased to offer this registry to further boost the great work of our Veterans.”

The Utah Veteran-Owned Business Registry can be found at https://vbr.veterans.utah.gov. Utahns can search by keywords or the name of the business. Businesses with any level of Veteran ownership can register at vbr.veterans.utah.gov/s/register-business. Veteran status and business license will be verified by UDVMA and being listed on the registry does not represent an endorsement of the business or its services.

The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) is the state agency that assists Veterans, service members and their families to access their benefits and strives to ensure that Utah remains a military and veteran friendly state. UDVMA also advises the Governor and state legislature on matters pertaining to military affairs throughout Utah and serves as a liaison to the leadership of Utah’s military installations, defense industry, and economic development organizations.

The Veterans Business Resource Center (VBRC) was created by the State of Utah and Salt Lake Community College to directly support Veterans, service members and their families in starting and growing their businesses. VBRC offers support and resources to assist in testing your business idea, developing a business plan, forming a company, analyzing financial needs, and creating an effective marketing strategy.

For more information, please contact:
Taylor Ricks, UDVMA, (801) 900-1906, tricks@utah.gov
Rick Brown, VBRC, (801) 957-5288, richard.brown2@slcc.edu