WASHINGTON, D.C, -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) marked the expansion of its efforts to help veteran-owned businesses with the dedication today of the Center for Veterans Enterprise by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
"VA helps veterans with health care, education, benefits. We should also help them develop businesses that will provide stable lives for their families," Principi said.
The new center will extend VA's services to veterans who own -- or who want to start -- their own businesses. Veterans can call or e-mail the center to receive assistance from a national network of business specialists. Information will be available about loans, business management programs, online training for entrepreneurs and procurement opportunities with federal, state and local agencies.
There are 22 million businesses in the United States. The new center estimates that 5 million are owned by veterans. Plans are underway to register each veteran-owned business and advise owners of opportunities to do business with the federal government. Under this program, a veteran-owned business has 51 percent of the business controlled by a veteran.
The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-50) expanded VAs authority to counsel veterans about self-employment and business expansions. The Center for Veterans Enterprise originated as part of the legislation. Following passage of that act, VA, the Small Business Administration and the Association of Small Business Development Centers signed an agreement to work together to assist veterans with new business opportunities.
Anyone interested in the Center for Veterans Enterprise can contact the website at http://www.vetbiz.gov/ or call toll free 1-866-584-2344 or (202) 565-8336.
