KINGSTON ENCOURAGES VETERANS TO ATTEND SBA SYMPOSIUM
August 19th event will provide information on agency’s programs, services available to veterans
Washington,
Jul 28, 2008 -
Congressman Jack Kingston today encouraged all interested veterans to attend a Small Business Administration symposium on programs and services available to veterans slated to be held on August 19th in Savannah. The half-day event will cover agency programs and services, including the “Patriot Express” Loan Program for both active and retired military personnel who are starting or expanding small businesses.
“Veterans have a unique skill set that can prove very beneficial when operating a small business,” Congressman Kingston said. “This forum will help provide them with the information they need to take advantage of programs designed to help them get their foot in the door or expand an existing business. Its small businesses like these that employ a majority of Americans and serve as one of our primary economic drivers.”
The free forum will run from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street, Savannah, GA 31401. The forum will focus on financing for small business start ups and include information on the agency’s 7(a) and 504 Economic Development Loan Programs.
The event will also explain the assistance that is available from the agency’s SCORE Program, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Savannah as well as the Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC), a Certified Development Company (CDC) based in the port city. In addition, a representative will be on hand from the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) to explain its services.
The SBA’s Patriot Express loan program offers guaranteed business loans of up to $500,000 for veterans to start or expand a business. The program is intended for veterans as well as their spouses, along with reservists and National Guard members. The program also applies to active duty military who are eligible for the military’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and prospective retirees within 24 months of separation.
The forum will also cover incentives offered to service-connected disabled veterans including Patriot Express and other federal programs. These benefits are described in the New Veterans’ Benefits Act approved by Congress on December 16, 2003.
Free parking is available at the symposium site. To pre-register, contact SBA veterans officer Jorge Valentin-Stone by email at Jorge.valentin-stone@sba.gov. You can register by fax at 202/481-5239. Please provide your name, phone number and/or email address. To register online, go to www.sba.gov/ga and select Public Training and Seminars, “Register Now,” in the Spotlight section of the web site’s main page. Please provide your name, telephone number and/or email address.
For additional information on SBA programs for veterans, go to www.sba.gov/vets or http://kingston.house.gov/veterans.
