(WASHINGTON, DC) – As part of his continued effort to engage the nation’s entrepreneurs, Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District -- Kansas) today honored Ron Woods, President of Industrial Supply, Inc., for the contributions his Kansas City, Kan., small business has made to the economy and the development of veteran entrepreneurs. Moore selected Industrial Supply to represent Kansas at the Minority Business Summit in Washington, D.C., which is held in conjunction with National Minority Enterprise Development Week from September 12 - 14.

“The innovation and competition resulting from small businesses like Industrial Supply significantly contribute to our country’s leadership in the global marketplace,” Moore said. “The Minority Business Summit is an opportunity to hear directly from entrepreneurs across the country about the challenges they face and how Congress can work to address their unique needs.”

In July, Moore toured Industrial Supply’s headquarters, the site of the nation’s first – and only – Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) incubator to provide veteran entrepreneurs with support tailored to meet their needs. There are 320,000 service-disabled veteran owned businesses operating in the United States, according to the Census Bureau. With their largest customer the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as well as several veterans on staff, the incubator was a natural fit for Industrial Supply.

“Industrial Supply decided to give back to the military personnel who have given so much to us,” said Ron Woods, President of Industrial Supply, Inc. “Our veterans’ contributions to our country and their courage are admirable.”

Woods, who started Industrial Supply on his kitchen table, knew firsthand the kinds of challenges new small business face. Since December 2004, the incubator has helped entrepreneurs tackle those by guiding veterans as they form businesses, obtain federal certifications and secure tax identification numbers. There are currently five SDVOSB firms participating in the innovative program. These firms offer an array of services including custodial, grounds maintenance, facility maintenance, pest control, temporary staffing and mechanical maintenance.

When Industrial Supply began negotiations with Indian Springs Mall for additional space to expand their business, they reserved 2,600 square feet for the incubator. They have since invested about $90,000 in the incubator, a sign the owners say proves how much they believe in helping service disabled veterans.

The waiting list for the incubator is growing as the success stories accumulate. For example, a 27-year-old veteran who launched his custodial business in October recently signed a $1.5 million contract with the VA’s Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy in Leavenworth. Faulkner credits Rick Lemmon, VA Supervisory Procurement Analyst, and Bruce Johnson, VA Contracting Officer, not only for singularly securing the first major contract, but also for their steadfast efforts to create future and continued successes.

The incubator was created in response to an executive order by President Bush in October 2004, which encouraged all federal agencies to implement the SDVOSB contracting preference enacted in the Veterans Benefit Act of 2003. In recognition of the service of our veterans, the government set a goal of not less than 3 percent participation by service-disabled veteran businesses in federal contracting opportunities.

“I applaud Industrial Supply for their hard work to assist veteran business owners, particularly service disabled veterans, earn their piece of the American dream,” Moore said.