Each SBA District Office has assigned a Veterans Business Development Officer (VBDO).  The Portland District has assigned an individual, who is a veteran, to assist veterans of U.S. Armed Forces in starting or growing a small business in Oregon and SW Washington.

Jim Steiner (right) is currently the computer specialist for the Portland District.  He is a prior enlisted Infantryman and Retired Army Signal Officer from the Vietnam Era (1969-1989).  He can be reached at (503) 326-2586 or james.steiner@sba.gov.

We suggest that you take the opportunity to get the ball rolling for your business by attending workshops and training events offered by our resource partners. Many of them can be found by reviewing the online training calendar and the Counseling & Training Resources web page.

WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED:

•   Veterans starting a business
•   Veterans who are in business and need further direction/assistance

WHAT WE DO:

•   Provide counseling for new and existing businesses who need help in marketing their products/services.
•   Offer a broad range of government guaranteed loan programs for eligible applicants.  You may ask for a review of your business plan.
•   Provide assistance and training to Veteran-owned or Disabled Veteran-owned businesses wishing to sell to the federal or local government agencies.
•   Offer pre-business workshops and training conducted by SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business and the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in Oregon and SW Washington, and other SBA resource partners.
•  Insure that business owners themselves or "essential employees" of that business who have been called to Active Duty under military commitments in the National Guard or Reserves are aware of the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) so that the business continues to operate while they are deployed.
•   Provide one-on-one assistance by our Veterans Business Development Officer.

U.S. Veterans Administration
Small Business Administration's Office of Veterans Business Development
Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs