SAN JUAN, PR – The Puerto Rico Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration invites veterans and other members of the military to its next entrepreneurial development seminar on Friday, Nov. 30, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, at SBA facilities in Hato Rey.
“The SBA is committed to helping our service men and women and their spouses start and grow successful small businesses,” said SBA Deputy District Director María de los Ángeles de Jesús. “We look forward to continue supporting them in their roles as entrepreneurs, by providing them with the tools and resources they need.”
There are over 100,000 veterans in Puerto Rico. Part of SBA’s mission is to facilitate access to services and resources available for veterans and service-disabled veterans who return home to start, resume, or further develop their businesses. At the seminar on Nov. 30th, SBA officials will address attendees on federal contracting opportunities and loan guaranty programs like Patriot Express --a streamlined loan product with enhanced guaranty and interest rate characteristics-- and the Military Reservists Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
“Last fiscal year we approved over $2 million in loans to veterans and other members of the military community in Puerto Rico, and we hope to increase that number this year to further foster job creation and our island’s economic development,” de Jesús said.
Also at the seminar, SBA resource partners, such as the Puerto Rico Small Business & Technology Development Center and the Women’s Business Institute, will provide orientation on training, counseling and technical assistance programs.
The activity, which is free of charge, will be held in SBA’s conference room at 273 Ponce de León Ave., Plaza Scotiabank Suite 510, in Hato Rey. To register, please call (787) 766-5572.
For more information on SBA’s programs and services for veterans, visit http://www.sba.gov/vets.
