1 week Ago
Our community is the proud home of thousands of veterans, service members and military families. They are our neighbors, friends — and, in many cases, the owners and employees of local businesses we love and support. Victoria Reynolds is the district director for the Small Business Association's Buffalo District.
Veterans employ over 5 million Americans and generate $1.3 trillion in total sales each year from their businesses. Supporting these individuals is essential because America cannot succeed if our veterans don’t.
Each year during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW), the Small Business Administration highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans, service members, National Guard members, Reservists and military spouses. This year’s theme, “Strengthening #VetBiz Communities,” keys on the role veteran-owned businesses play in boosting regional economies and serving local communities. Here in the Buffalo District, the SBA is proud to take part in this annual celebration with in-person and virtual events in the region.
On Friday in Monroe County, we’re partnering with Apex Accelerator for a 90-minute webinar, “Leverage Your Veteran Certifications: Maximize Federal, State, and Local Contracts” for military small business owners. The goal, in part, is to raise awareness of resources available to every veteran looking to be an entrepreneur. We encourage entrepreneurs to explore the assistance that may be available.
We have a Veterans Business Outreach Center in Watervliet that provides services tailored to military entrepreneurs and their families. We also offer several programs to help veterans secure capital. SBA resource partners may also be able to help pursue federal contracting, which presents a significant opportunity for veteran-owned businesses to compete for and win contracts.
During NVSBW, veterans should also look into our Veteran Small Business Certification and SDVOSB certifications, which are vital for securing those federal contracts and the many benefits that come with them. Under this administration, the establishment of the VetCert Program has been beneficial to tens of thousands of veterans. As we celebrate NVSBW 2024, it’s essential to recognize the invaluable contributions of veteran-owned businesses.
To learn more, go to sba.gov/ovbd . Victoria Reynolds is the district director for the Small Business Association’s Buffalo District.
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