SubscribeBusiness opportunities for vets
Q: I just got back from the Iraq war, but I don’t want to return to my job. I think it’s time for me to start my own business. What help does the VA offer?
A: 
The VA can help you form a small business, expand an existing one or get a contract with the agency, according to the 2010 edition of Federal Benefits for Veterans.
As a federal agency, the VA is required to trade with small and disadvantaged businesses. So if you are a veteran business owner or have been contemplating self-employment, you can get more information by writing to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (OOVE), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC, or call 1-866-584-2344.
The site offers information to help you set up a business, register your business, update your business profile, locate resources or register as a contracting officer. If you are interested in obtaining a government contract, write to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (OOSB) at the above address, call 1-800-949-8387 or visit http://www4.va.gov/osdbu/. You must use a government-issued email address (.gov or .mil) to register as a contracting officer.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development is the primary federal agency that assists veterans and reservists who own or are considering starting a small business. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/vets. Its services include assistance in planning your business, and training through community-based programs or the nearest Veterans Business Outreach Center.
The website, www.score.org/veteran.html, offers more than 1,000 university-based Small Business Development Centers, nearly 400 SCORE chapters with 11,000 volunteer counselors – many of whom are veterans – and 100 Women’s Business Centers.
The Small Business Administration manages a range of lending and procurement programs, and provides assistance for those participating in international trade, according to the 2010 benefits book. To find out more information about loans, visit http://www.sba.gov/financialassistance/.
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Russell Davis has spent the last few years aggressively seeking answers to his own veterans’ benefit questions. He’ll be taking over the Taking on Life blog every Friday to tell you what he’s learned and to help honorable military discharged women and men, their spouses, partners and others to find answers. Click here to read his previous questions and answers, or to ask him a question.
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