Las Vegas, Nev. – Senator Catherine Cortez Masto met with 16 local AAPI small business owners and community leaders to discuss her efforts to support Las Vegas’ growing AAPI business community and highlight federal resources available to help these businesses grow. The discussion and grand opening celebration took place at Taps & Barrels, a new AAPI-owned craft beer taproom owned by Ming Liu, a Las Vegas resident and UNLV College of Hospitality alum.
“Nevada’s small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and it was an honor to meet today with members of our AAPI community who have created vibrant businesses that make Southern Nevada a better place to live and work,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’ll always fight for resources to support Nevada’s diverse small businesses and help them grow.”
“The Senator’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment is evident through this impactful initiative,” said Catherine Francisco, CEO and Founder of the Nevada AAPI Chamber of Commerce. “By directly engaging with AANHPI business owners, the roundtable underscores the importance of collaborative policymaking that reflects the real-world needs and aspirations of our diverse community. This roundtable will serve as a catalyst for positive change, and promote equitable opportunities.”
“I was thrilled to host so many AAPI small business leaders today and I’m grateful for Senator Cortez Masto’s support of Taps & Barrels and all of the AAPI community,” said Ming Liu, Taps & Barrels owner. “When the pandemic hit, my wife and I decided to embark on this journey, and I’m proud of the hard work we’ve put into this new business. I look forward to continuing to work together to grow our economy and help our families succeed.”
The AAPI population is the fastest growing demographic in Nevada, making up about 12% of Nevada’s population. Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong advocate for Nevada’s diverse business community in the Senate and has introduced legislation to make it easier to start and grow a new business in Nevada. She has also introduced legislation to protect small businesses from expensive data breaches and cyber-attacks and to help small businesses compete in the 21st century economy. Last year, the administration answered her call to extend the deferment period for small businesses to repay loans to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. She has also secured multiple grants for Minority Business Development Centers in Las Vegas to help minority entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Her legislation to make the Minority Business Development Agency permanent was passed in 2021.
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