‘Boots to Business’ gives Kentucky veterans a boost
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2017)–A Kentucky House panel on Thursday unanimously approved Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes’ measure to help veterans start and grow businesses in Kentucky. Grimes appeared before the House State Government Committee to discuss her initiative.
“More than 330,000 Kentucky men and woman have fought for our rights, and I’ve been committed to fighting for them,” said Grimes. “A mission of my administration is to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans. The ‘Boots to Business’ initiative is way to help veterans begin writing new chapters in their lives.”
House Bill 114 would waive initial registration fees for new veteran-owned entities and waive annual report filing fees for the first four years those businesses operate. Rep. Jody Richards is the bill’s sponsor.
“The Secretary and I have been working on this legislation for two years, so I was happy to carry it again to help pay tribute to Kentucky’s veterans,” said Richards. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to our veterans, and House Bill 114 is how the commonwealth can again say, ‘Thank you.'”
“Boots to Business” carries the support of many veterans and veteran organizations, including the Kentucky Joint Executive Council of Veterans Organizations (JECVO) and the Kentucky National Guard Association. Brig. Gen. Steven P. Bullard, chief of staff of the Kentucky National Air Guard, joined Grimes and Richards in their testimony before the committee to show support for the measure.
Grimes unveiled the “Boots to Business” initiative in the 2016 General Assembly. The House passed the measure last year without a single dissenting vote, but the Senate did not consider the bill.
Retired Army Capt. Josh Kinsel owns K&S Customz, a motorcycle engine repair business, in Louisville. He praised Grimes for backing “Boots to Business” when she unveiled the initiative last year.
“As a veteran, it feels good to know that someone is there supporting us. Support for the military–active-duty or veterans–is not what it used to be,” Kinsel said at the time. “Having Sec. Grimes present a bill like this helps not only with the monetary value, but with emotional value. I think I can speak for the majority of veterans that the thing that makes us happy is the fact that Sec. Grimes is continuing to help veterans.”
House Bill 114 now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
