The Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is the official voice for Asian American Pacific Islander businesses in Virginia. This thriving Asian business community includes members from 23 different countries, all working to bring value and spread economic growth and opportunity throughout their communities. This comprehensive representation reflects the vast diversity within the Mid-Atlantic supply chain, making it a powerful American economic force.

Access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet is a proven economic driver and, in today’s digital world, it is an essential tool in the business-owner’s toolbox. Business owners now rely on the internet for nearly every aspect of their work. Whether it be communicating with vendors, engaging with customers, running advertisements, operating POS systems or delivering contracts, 21^st-century enterprise happens online.

“The mission of our chamber is to drive the growth and advancement of Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia – and internet access is a key requirement for this,” says My Lan Tran, VACC Executive Director. “The Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Connect Everyone Coalition in its work to connect everyone, everywhere, and ensure that hardworking businesses, like our members, have access to the connectivity and resources they rely on.”

Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet has the potential to quickly connect everyone, including the more than 85,000 Asian American-owned small businesses in Virginia, with reliable, high-speed internet and the game-changing economic and financial resources it provides.

“Supporting the incorporation of all connectivity technologies, including burgeoning LEO satellites, will enable us to finally and fully bridge the digital divide, spurring economic and jobs growth on all fronts,” says Richard Cullen, CEC Executive Director. “We’re grateful to have a partner in the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, and its professional membership, in our mission to connect businesses everywhere with the online tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Expanding broadband access is not just about technology; it’s about ensuring that every entrepreneur, whether they run a family-owned restaurant, a growing tech startup or provide a local service, can compete on equal footing, which is critical to our economy’s long-term prosperity. By embracing innovative solutions like LEO satellites alongside traditional infrastructure, we can create a more inclusive economy where no community is left behind and where every business has the chance to grow, hire and succeed in the digital age.

DID YOU KNOW?

Online sales now account for nearly 16% of total U.S. retail sales – the American retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2025 alone totaled $292.9 billion. The opportunity for economic success is there, but without a dependable, high-speed internet connection, especially small and rural businesses risk falling behind their competition due to the digital divide.

LEO satellites create a fast, affordable option to quickly deploy high-speed internet even to areas that have previously been left unserved or underserved by traditional technologies, bringing the critical business resources, tools and efficiencies that support economic success for everyone, everywhere.