National Veterans Small Business Week to Kick-off Nov. 2
U.S. Small Business Administration • October 30, 2020
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Small Business Administration
will celebrate veteran, service member, and military spouse small business owners nationwide during National Veterans Small Business Week, Nov. 2-6, 2020.
“National Veterans Small Business Week is the perfect time to reflect on the accomplishments of our nation’s 2.5 million veteran-owned small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “Now more than ever, it is our duty as an agency to empower these businesses as they adapt and pivot during this critical time. The SBA, in collaboration with our resource partner network, is proud to dedicate this week to honor the veterans, service members, and military spouses who continue to serve our great country as small business owners.”
This year’s National Veterans Small Business Week theme is “#VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community.” During the week, the SBA will highlight and connect veterans nationwide to local level entrepreneurial resources.
Each day, the SBA will focus on a different aspect of veteran business ownership. Topics will include transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance, and capital access.
SBA district offices, resource partners, and local organizations will host virtual educational webinars, training workshops, networking opportunities, social media events, and more.
The SBA encourages veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses to join the online conversation and share their entrepreneurial stories and best practices, including the local resources they used to establish successful businesses, using the hashtag #VetBiz.
For more information about National Veterans Small Business Week and find events in your area, visit www.sba.gov/nvsbw. For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/veterans.
Freedom 250 Event Celebrates Free Enterprise Through National Small Business Competition for $1 Million Cash Prize Pool Funded by Clover
$16.5 Million in Grants Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it is making $27.7 million in grants available through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). This program provides funding for business and community initiatives that promote economic growth and job creation. Eligible applicants can include rural cooperatives, state government agencies, towns, and communities, nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized Tribes. Individuals and for-profit businesses or organizations are not eligible to apply. Applications will compete in two separate categories: Business opportunity grants: May be used for business support centers, technology-based economic development, leadership and entrepreneur training, feasibility studies, business plans, long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities. Business enterprise grants: May be used for training and technical assistance, project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements, buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas, constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment, capitalizing revolving loan funds, and supporting rural business incubators and community economic development and other eligible activities. Electronic applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. local time through Grants.gov on the due date. The Rural Business Development Grant Program has two different closing dates: June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications. June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants. For more information on how to apply please visit on gov or contact your local USDA Rural Development office .
