SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- The Small Business Administration is giving money to existing businesses owned by veterans to train other servicemen and women and their spouses.
The businesses will act as Veteran Business Outreach Centers. They will train in-person classes like Boots To Business. Program Director Raymond Milano describes them as coaches that will help with topics like finances and skill-building.
"Expanding it to Delaware, Pennsylvania is very unique as far as military installations and we think a local organization will come through and get a good application that is going to cover the entire area," Milano said.
Delaware veterans are currently served by a VBOC all the way in Springfield, Virginia which serves four other states. The hope is to add more businesses so training is more accessible.
Starting a business can be difficult and you may not know where to begin. American Legion Post 28 Commander Jim Beattie experienced that first hand and says the training he received when opening his restaurants was very helpful.
"Most of them was about trying to set up budgets, how to handle the money coming in for assets and liabilities," Beattie said. "Insurance was a very big issue because I was starting a restaurant at that time and that the liability is just unbelievable there."
The application deadline is April 4 with the goal of adding many VBOC's in Delaware and Maryland.
The SBA will be holding virtual information sessions for interested business owners. They can be accessed via this Microsoft Teams link.
VBOC Funding Information Sessions: Friday, March 26: 12-1 p.m. EDT; Monday, March 29: 4-5 p.m. EDT ; Friday, April 2: 12-1 p.m. EDT