Contact: Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

Business for a Fair Minimum Wage and the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce announce support for statewide $15 minimum wage

Jan. 21, 2020, Richmond, VA—Business leaders are showing their support for phasing in a $15 statewide minimum wage, citing numerous business benefits a higher minimum wage would have for businesses and the state economy.

Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, joined legislators and low-wage workers speaking at a rally at the capitol today calling for raising Virginia’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour. The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce also announced their support.

Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, said, “Virginia's minimum wage has been too low for too long. Raising the minimum wage is good business. It puts more money in the paychecks of workers who most need to spend it – boosting sales at businesses as workers buy goods and services they couldn't afford before. And when businesses pay more adequate wages, they benefit from lower employee turnover, higher productivity and increased customer satisfaction.”

Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, said, “We support raising Virginia’s minimum wage. It will help small businesses like my members by increasing consumer spending and strengthening Virginia’s workforce. Raising the minimum wage to a more realistic level helps level the playing field for businesses like my members who treat their employees fairly and are invested for the long-term in local communities.”

Victoria McKoy, owner of Glamystique Hair Studio in Norfolk, said, “Raising the minimum wage will directly impact my business for the better. I need people to be able to get their hair done without having to decide between that and buying food. When people aren’t even earning enough to cover the basics, that's not good for my business or the many other small businesses in Norfolk and across Virginia.”

Gina Schaefer, owner of Old Town Ace Hardware in Alexandria, said, “We support raising Virginia’s minimum wage to $15. Better entry wages have helped my business succeed. Raising the minimum wage to $15 is going to help Virginia and make it more possible for all our communities to thrive.”

To speak with business owners and executives who support raising the minimum wage, please contact Erin Musgrave at erin@emcstrategies.com or (530) 864-7014.

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Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is a national network of business owners and executives who believe a fair minimum wage makes good business sense.