Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, Aruna Miller highlighted the state’s pro-business environment and the vital role of immigrant entrepreneurs during her special address at the 2025 Maryland Asian American Business Conference, held on April 10, 2025, at The Universities at Shady Grove, in Rockville, Maryland.

Describing Maryland as a business-friendly state, Miller emphasized how immigrants “break barriers and build businesses,” while staying connected with their heritages.

She applauded Chair of the Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs, Preet Takhar, for his leadership in organizing the event. “Wow, look at it today. This isn’t just a celebration. This is community and possibility coming together,” she remarked.

The day-long conference brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss business opportunities, identify challenges, and mobilize resources available for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) businesses across Maryland.

“Immigrants, we get the job done. To be a small business owner, it’s not just commerce, it’s courage. It’s not just a business plan. It’s a leap of faith. It’s not just your story. It’s Maryland’s story,” she said reflecting on the journey of many immigrant entrepreneurs who start with limited resources but big dreams.

She acknowledged the role of immigrant business owners in boosting the economy and supporting their families, pledging that the Moore-Miller administration will continue to back their efforts with tools and resources.

“It takes money to make money. Access to capital is essential,” she noted, stressing that lack of funding should not hinder good business ideas. To this end, she highlighted the administration’s suite of tax incentives, grants, and financing programs aimed at supporting small and emerging businesses.

To further reduce red tape and level the playing field, Miller announced that the administration has passed the Procurement Reform Act of 2025, designed to help minority- and women-owned small businesses more easily access state contracts.

“When leadership looks like us, it works for all of us,” she said, pointing out that the Moore-Miller administration has appointed the most diverse cabinet in Maryland’s history, with 50 per cent of cabinet secretaries being women and 50 per cent people of color. Maryland now also holds the highest percentage of Asian American cabinet secretaries in the continental United States, she added.

Miller shared key statistics, noting that 99 per cent of Maryland’s businesses are small businesses – more than 618,000 of them – employing nearly half the state’s workforce. Among these, over 14,000 are Asian-owned, supporting more than 118,000 jobs and generating over half the revenue from all minority-owned businesses in the state.

Comptroller of Maryland, Brooke Lierman, who delivered the keynote address, expressed appreciation for business owners choosing Maryland as their home.

“Starting a business is an act of bravery. It is a leap of faith in your talents, your vision, and most important in your fellow Marylanders,” she said. “You step out on a limb, and it is our shared responsibility, as your state government, to ensure that the limb that you are standing on is strong, is steady and is growing.”

Lierman reflected on her tenure as the first woman elected as Maryland Comptroller and her commitment to building a more “equitable, more resilient and more prosperous” state where every resident can reach their full potential.

To support that vision, she emphasized the importance of understanding Maryland’s economic landscape, recognizing challenges, and creating inclusive prosperity for all, including the AAPI business community.

“Maryland is often called America in Miniature, and for good reason. We are home to a highly educated workforce, world-class institutions, and a rich diversity that strengthens our economy,” Lierman said. She noted that the state is home to approximately 420,000 AAPI residents and 14,000 Asian-owned firms.

“That is an extraordinary contribution to our economic tapestry,” she added. While acknowledging Maryland’s diversity as a strength, Lierman also warned of economic hurdles. She cited findings from her first budget meeting, which identified slow economic growth as a concern.

“So, the first time ever, my team went out and we spoke with business leaders across the state of Maryland, we dug into the numbers and the data that we have, and we produced last year the first ever report on the State of Maryland’s Economy,” she added. 

Referring to federal budget cuts, she described the situation in Washington as “chaos, trouble, and turmoil,” noting Maryland has already lost more than 2,300 jobs and faced economic losses of approximately $552 million.

Other state leaders also spoke at the conference, highlighting efforts to support AAPI businesses. Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary, Sanjay Rai said, “The higher education community remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure each student graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset, prepared to help build upon the storied successes of the AAPI community in the state’s most highly sought-after fields.”

“Under Governor Moore’s transformative leadership, the State of Maryland is undertaking a comprehensive effort to reform state procurement, providing more equitable access to the State’s procurement system,” said Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Atif Chaudhry.

Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu said, “It’s essential at moments like these that we recognize and celebrate how AAPI-owned businesses contribute significantly to communities across Maryland, and how they can drive our state’s future economic growth. As these businesses thrive, so too will Maryland.”

Commission Chair Preet Takhar said “This conference is more than just a gathering. It’s a testament to the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial achievements of the South Asian and Asian Pacific businesses.” 

Other speakers at the conference included, Executive Director of the Universities of Shady Grove, Anne Khademian, Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich, Executive Director of GOCI, Lawrence Walker, State Director for US Senator Chris Van Hollen, Ashima Talwar, Commission Chair of Asian Pacific American Affairs, Yang Yu, and CEO of Washington Freedom, Dhiraj Malhotra also spoke at the event. 

Video messages were also played from Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, who could not attend in person. The conference featured panel discussions on topics such as “Maryland: A Thriving Hub for Businesses,” “Resources from State and Local Government Agencies,” “Access to Capital for Growth,” “Business Success Stories,” and “Leveraging Technology for Growth.”

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