The Advisor

VETERANS! Starting or Expanding a Business?
by Robert Sullivan

1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Veterans Enterprise maintains a listing of all Veteran owned businesses and annually notifies them of available help. They work with other agencies to promote contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses. Contact them at http://www.vetbiz.gov. Email is vacve@mail.va.gov.

2. The Small Business Administration (SBA) can help you with financing, support, management issues and technical assistance. They have an "answer desk" at (800) 827-5722. Ask for the Veterans Business Development Officer. Also contact the SBA via their website at http://www.sba.gov.

3. The Department of Labor (DOL) also helps veterans and service-disabled veterans. They have local offices providing support. Find out more at http://www.dol.gov/dol/vets. The DOL also maintains an Office of Small Business Programs. Learn more about this at http://www.dol.gov/dol/osbp/.

4. The National Veterans Business Development Corporation (NVBDC) in Washington, DC, is developing a nationwide network of assistance centers for veterans seeking assistance. Contact them at http://vetbiz.gov.

Be sure to register with Pro-Net (it's free). This database is used by Government and corporate buyers who are seeking to find firms owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. Register by visiting http://pronet.sba.gov.

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