WASHINGTON (20 May) – On Wednesday U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee, supported the passage of the Job Creation through Entrepreneurship Act, which would expand entrepreneurial opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses. 

“This legislation will improve the educational opportunities, grants and resources available to small business owners who have served in our nation’s armed forces," said Bilirakis. “We have over 35,000 wounded warriors that have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and we must do all we can to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed. Creating incentives for transitioning service members to start their own business is a perfect way to assist with that process." 

H.R. 2352 reauthorizes the Small Business Administration's (SBA) entrepreneurial development programs, creates a new small business assistance program for veterans, and authorizes the SBA to establish a distance learning program and online networking forum for existing and potential entrepreneurs. Additionally this bill includes funding for capital grants, procurement assessment grants, and grants tailored to service-disabled veterans.

The bill also authorizes funding for the SBA to create a Veterans Business Center program which would provide veterans and their surviving spouses with entrepreneurial training and counseling.

For more information on SBA initiatives for veterans click here.