The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will celebrate veteran small business owners nationwide during National Veterans Small Business Week 2016 (NVSBW), Oct. 31- Nov 4.
“Veteran entrepreneurs are a driving force in our economy. Each year, the SBA assists thousands of veterans, reservists, members of the National Guard, and service-disabled veterans to start and grow their small businesses. Veterans are integral to the growth of America’s small businesses. Nearly one in every 10 American businesses today is owned by a veteran, collectively employs nearly six million workers and generates more than $1.2 trillion in receipts,” said Barbara Carson, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development.
“With our partners, we are working to empower the next greatest generation of veteran small business owners to build on the outstanding successes of the generations that came before them.”
During NVSBW SBA district offices and resource partners across the U.S. will host local events including Boots to Business and Boots to Business: Reboot, webinars, and workshops on access to capital, federal procurement, and entrepreneurial development.
The SBA encourages veteran business owners to share their small business success stories and asks local communities to demonstrate appreciation for veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners by joining the NVSBW conversation using the #MyVetBiz hashtag.
In 2015, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a resolution to designate the first week in November as National Veterans Small Business Week. A similar resolution will be passed in this year for National Veterans Small Business Week 2016. The two-fold purpose of NVSBW is to applaud the success of veteran entrepreneurs and to increase awareness of SBA’s programs and services for transitioning military service members, veterans and their spouses.
For more information about NVSBW events, visit www.sba.gov/NVSBW. To learn more about additional opportunities for veterans available through the SBA, visit www.sba.gov/vets.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012, has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov.
