National Veterans Small Business Week

National Veterans Small Business Week is October 31- November 4, and the U.S. Small Business Administration is encouraging community members to highlight local veteran-owned businesses in their community, and show gratitude and support to veterans and their families. Explore veteran-owned businesses and resources in Frederick County to show your support.

In 2015, the Military Times named Frederick as a Top 10 Place to Live for Veterans (#8). During Business Appreciation Week last week, we met with several veteran-owned businesses who have made Frederick County their home including Soldierfit’s Danny Farrar who also founded Platoon 22, a non-profit dedicated to reducing veteran suicide and Ben Morales who recently opened Benancio’s Southwest Grill after a long career in the Air Force. They are just two of the many examples of veterans who have started a thriving business in Frederick County.

HOW TO FIND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

  • Veteranownedbusiness.com is a resource with over 26,000 veteran-owned businesses Ben Morales of Benancio's Southwest Grill in Brunswick, MDlisted. 
  • Buy Veteran is a national campaign spearheaded by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) to bring the success and momentum of the National Veteran Business Movement to all of America’s 3 million veteran-owned businesses. In 1999, the federal government passed Public Law 106-50 that set a mandate to award 3 percent of all federal contract and subcontract dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Contact us to make sure your business is listed as veteran-owned on our local Frederick County Minority-Owned Business Directory.

RESOURCES FOR VETERAN BUSINESSES OWNERS (Source: www.mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov)

Maryland veterans who own a business or wish to start one can take advantage of a variety of programs that offer knowledge, professional development or funding. Explore the programs below.

  • State of Maryland Procurement Programs – The State of Maryland is committed to improving the operating environment for veteran-owned small businesses. The state has created two programs aimed at increasing state government procurement opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses: the Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise and the Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference. Learn more about these programs from the Department of General Services.
  • Military Personnel and Veteran-Owned Small Business Loan Program (MPVSBLP) – Commerce’s veteran loan program provides no-interest loans of up to $50,000, from one to eight years, for businesses owned by military reservists, veterans, National Guard personnel and for small businesses that employ, or are owned by, such persons. Note: Due to extensive interest, the program only accepts applications during a 45-day window, which closed in August. Keep an eye on the website for information on availability in 2017.
  • Additional Funding Programs for Small Business – While not exclusive to veterans, other funding programs that veteran-owned businesses can consider include: the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA), and the Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account – Video Lottery Terminal Fund (VLT).
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – The SBA website has a variety of information for veteran-owned businesses, including resources on starting a business and securing financing. In addition, the SBA is hosting a variety of live-streamed events and webinars this week for Veteran’s Small Business Week.
  • Government Contracting Guide – The significant federal and military presence in Maryland provides contracting opportunities for veteran small business owners. Commerce compiled a Government Contracting Guide that provides guidance to possibly help veteran business owners win government contracts.

During National Veterans Small Business Week, and going forward, share your small business success story or show your appreciation for veteran entrepreneurs by joining the conversation online using the hashtag #MyVetBiz.