Gardner, Kaine Push to Make it Easier for Veterans to Start Businesses

Washington, D.C. – Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Veterans Small Business Ownership Improvements Act Wednesday to protect and enhance entrepreneurship training and programs for service members, veterans, and their families. 

Veteran entrepreneurs employ more than 5.7 million workers across America and make significant contributions to the economy across a vibrant array of industries. As members of the armed forces transition from the military, it can be difficult to navigate civilian career options and resources available to sustain a business. The Veterans Small Business Ownership Improvements Act will help facilitate the transition to civilian life and establish a robust pipeline of veteran entrepreneurs.

“It’s critically important that we ensure those who have served the United States in uniform have all the tools they need for a successful transition to civilian life,” said Sen. Gardner. “More than 200,000 veterans transition to civilian life every year, and they’re much more likely to be self-employed than those who have never served. This bill will make sure our nation’s veterans who wish to start a business are introduced to the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to live their dream and establish a successful business.”

“Easing servicemembers’ transition from active duty to the civilian workforce is one of my highest priorities in the Senate. This legislation would provide military families with training to support their efforts to launch small businesses and succeed as entrepreneurs. This is about giving back to those who have sacrificed so much to serve our nation,” Sen. Kaine said.

The Veterans Small Business Ownership Improvements Act will:

• Protect, improve, and strengthen Small Business Administration efforts to support transitioning service members, veteran entrepreneurs, and families.
• Empower the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs with training and instruction through the Boots to Business and Veterans’ Business Outreach Center programs.
• Ensure veterans have a one-stop online resource for all the information on Small Business Administration entrepreneurship programs which support veterans.
• Direct the Small Business Administration to foster veteran entrepreneur peer-to-peer mentorships.

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