Washington, DC –  The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is proud to announce Mayor Ravinder Bhalla of Hoboken, NJ and Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City, NJ have signed identical executive orders including NGLCC certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs), along with veteran-owned and disability-owned firms (certified by NGLCC organizational partner Disability:IN),  in contracting and procurement opportunities in both cities. For LGBT citizens in these cities, this inclusive policy provides fair and equal access to contracting opportunities and economic development programs that drive innovation, create jobs, and promote economic growth throughout the region.

“Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Fulop of Jersey City, more diverse New Jersey entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to create jobs and develop innovations than ever before.  This historic precedent will help push the New Jersey State Senate to pass A3162/S1570,  which has already passed the Assembly and will include LGBT, disability,  and veteran-owned firms in statewide contracts.  These executive orders also offer other major cities, including nearby New York City, a replicable framework to expand their procurement and economic development programs, which is a win for every community and every economy,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson

Prior to these executive orders, neither city had specific inclusionary efforts for LGBT-, veteran-, or disabled person-owned business entities, but both cities now recognize such inclusion as a best practice thanks to the model of Fortune 500 corporations as well as governments in California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania and multiple municipalities nationwide, thanks to NGLCC’s advocacy efforts.

“It makes sense that this kind of inclusion is taking off in this region, as the Northeast has one of the largest concentrations of NGLCC Certified LGBTBEs and LGBT-owned companies. Collectively, LGBT-owned businesses add to the $1.7 trillion dollars the LGBT business community puts into the national economy.  Progressive and inclusive leadership, like that of Mayors Bhalla and Fulop, will ensure greater access to the American Dream for every American,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & CEO Chance Mitchell. 

NGLCC looks forward to soon working closely with NJ Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg to pass S1570 and enact similar policies statewide, ushering in a new era of inclusive entrepreneurship in the region.

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