Detroit to Host VA Small Business Conference, Hiring Fair
Help for Veterans Who Own Businesses, Seek Jobs

The National Veterans Small Business Conference, the government’s premier event for Veteran-owned small businesses, is coming to Detroit’s Cobo Center June 25-29, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today.

VA also announced that a “VA for Vets” Hiring Fair will be held during the conference for Veterans looking for careers in the public and private sectors. The conference is expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, and bring an estimated $3 million in direct spending to the city.

“VA is committed to bringing more Veteran-owned businesses into the public-private partnership,” said VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich. “In addition to the National Veterans Small Business Conference, our Detroit Hiring Fair will provide Veterans with on-the-spot job opportunities and interviews, while also offering career search classes and one-on-one counseling.”

Last year’s National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo in New Orleans drew almost 5,000 attendees, and more than 6,000 participants are expected this year.

The Detroit Hiring Fair builds upon VA’s success Jan. 18 in Washington at which a partnership of federal agencies and private industry attracted over 4,100 Veterans and resulted in over 2,600 on-the-spot interviews and more than 500 tentative job offers.

“These events are part of Secretary Shinseki’s ongoing efforts to help Veterans find employment in both the public and private sectors,” said Gingrich. “As the President said in yesterday’s State of the Union address, Veterans are crucial to our economy, and we need to find them jobs.”

This year’s conference will include an open house that gives Veterans the chance to learn the wide range of resources available to help them with their own businesses.  Also available will be the VetGovPartner online platform, which enables networking, viewing the business profiles of all participants, and identifying business opportunities with more than 400 government procurement decision makers in attendance.

Known historically as the world’s capital for the transportation industry, the Detroit metro area is reinventing itself with six booming industries: medical research, defense, entertainment, green tech, urban farming, and aeronautics.  About 330,000 Veterans are served by the city’s VA medical center, and more than 704,000 Veterans live in Michigan.

VA invites all interested persons and businesses to attend.  More information is available at www.nationalveteransconference.com. Registration for the conference begins Friday, January 27.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Pressing Congress to pass the American Jobs Act, which aims to reduce unemployment and stimulate U.S. productivity, President Barack Obama told a joint session of Congress Thursday evening to look to the nation’s veterans, who have fought with their lives to defend our country. “The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home,” he said.

The president’s words in a Thursday evening address to the nation echoed what he said Aug. 30 at the 93rd National Convention of The American Legion in Minneapolis when he announced a plan to offer tax credits to companies that hire veterans. There, he told about 10,000 Legionnaires and their families that he was calling on every state “to pass legislation that makes it easier for our veterans to get the credentials and the jobs for which they are so clearly qualified. This needs to happen, and it needs to happen now.”

American Legion National Commander Fang A. Wong said the president’s plan to get more Americans back to work falls in line with the Legion’s ongoing efforts to reduce veteran unemployment, especially among those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Far too many of our young veterans are returning home to find they can’t get back into the workforce – is that a proper way for our country to reward these men and women who have served us so well overseas?” Wong said.

According to a Joint Economic Commission report to Congress last June, the unemployment rate for male veterans aged 18 to 24 stood at 27 percent.

“We sponsor more than 100 job fairs per year for servicemembers and veterans,” Wong said. “We press federal agencies to hire more veterans. We show veteran-owned small businesses how to get more federal contracting dollars. So The American Legion heartily welcomes the jobs plan initiatives pertaining to veterans announced by President Obama, especially since it reinforces the White House’s commitment to get more veterans employed.”

In the address, Obama said the American Jobs Act will “provide a jolt” to an economy that is now stalled. He pinpointed education, transportation and small business as areas that can make an impact in the recovery. He told lawmakers that the measure will make it easier for small businesses to procure federal contracts.

The American Legion is now working with the government to improve compliance with a federal law mandating that no less than 3 percent of federal contracts be awarded to businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

Obama also spoke of the power the GI Bill poses to stimulate the economy, as it did after World War II. “Millions of returning heroes, including my grandfather, had the opportunity to go to school because of the GI Bill. Where would we be if they hadn’t had that chance?”

Earlier in the day, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (known as the VOW Act), sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida. The bill would improve transition counseling for servicemembers leaving active duty, and also help veterans to obtain licenses or certificates for skills they learned in the military.

“Military training and experience needs to be recognized by civilian employers. This is an issue The American Legion has taken to the White House and Congress many times,” Wong said. “Now we are seeing some results – in the president’s new initiatives to get more veterans hired, and in the VOWS Act that is making its way to a vote on the House floor.

“We have got to convince the private sector to recognize the full value of military service. Taxpayers invest a lot of money in their training. Such a huge investment must not be wasted,” Wong said.

The American Legion has been pushing Congress and the private sector for wider recognition of military skills and experience. The Legion’s Economic Division is planning to host a conference early next year on licensing and certification issues for veterans.

Telling Congress that “we are tougher than the times we live in,” Obama echoed his Aug. 5 speech at the Washington Navy Yard. Before a largely military audience, he outlined four proposals to reduce the jobless rate among Post-9/11 veterans, including tax credits for firms that hire veterans who are unemployed or have service-connected disabilities.

“The president has challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 jobless veterans by the end of 2013,” Wong said. “We join the president’s call to action, but would like to up the ante. The American Legion is challenging America to bring veterans unemployment below the 5-percent mark before Election Day of 2012. Hiring veterans is one of the best ways to honor their service.”

SOURCE The American Legion

San Diego Department of Environmental Health has teamed up with Veteran Owned Business to bring a huge savings to San Diego County Veteran Owned Businesses!

Small Businesses: Save Money & Recycle Your Fluorescent Lights Free of Charge!!!  If you own a small business, the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health wants to save you money by helping you recycle your fluorescent lights free of charge! To qualify for this opportunity, businesses must be located in San Diego County.

California State law requires everyone must recycle florescent lights, which can cost small businesses hundreds of dollars a year. Thanks to an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant from The US Department of Energy, The San Diego County of Environmental Health is currently able to offer a limited time opportunity to properly recycle lamps at no cost.

To participate, simply fax or mail your request form (available at: www.sdhhw.org under “universal waste”). Once your request is processed, you will receive a pre-postage paid kits that can be filled and shipped directly to a recycler for proper management.

Businesses can acquire a maximum of four (4) kits that will accommodate up to 200 bulbs (depending on size and type) while supplies last. This program is anticipated to run through June 2012.

Remember: Disposal of Fluorescent lamps (tubes and bulbs) to the trash is prohibited in California

Fluorescent lamps must be managed as Universal Waste and properly recycled according to Section 66273.33 of Title 22, California Code of Regulations. Fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of toxic metal mercury so do your part and recycle!

For more information and/or to request forms, please contact:
Yazmin Amado Vu
(858) 694-2232
yazmin.amadovu@sdcounty.ca.gov

Protect Your Health & Our Environment! Recycle!

Click here to view: the San Diego Recycling Program Brochure

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If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

VA Strengthens Veteran-Owned Small Business Eligibility Process

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs today reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to support legitimate veteran-owned small businesses seeking contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs after the VA Inspector General (VAIG) released an audit report critical of its small business verification and contract oversight program.

“VA takes the recommendations in this report very seriously. Since October 2010, VA has taken decisive action to strengthen our verification process to ensure that only legitimate Veteran-owned small businesses become eligible to contract with the federal government,” said Tom Leney Executive Director of the VA Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

The VAIG report released today audited the VA’s Veteran-Owned and Small and Disadvantaged Business eligibility verification and contract award process from May 2009 to May 2010. The findings pre-date the implementation of strong reforms VA put in place in December 2010 to strengthen the veteran-owned small business verification process. On December 10, 2010, VA sent a letter to over 13,000 firms in its database informing them of new standards for verification of veteran-owned small business status. In the December 10, 2010 letter, VA identified an expanded and extensive set of business-related documents required to be submitted for review as part of the verification process and greatly expanded the number of applications that received the additional scrutiny of an on-site examination.

Since January 1, 2011 VA has processed over 7,500 applications. Nearly 1,500 companies were verified as Veteran-owned small businesses while 1,135 companies were denied verification as a result of the more rigorous review process. An additional 5,000 firms withdrew their applications or were denied for incomplete documentation. Some of the reasons for rejection include the inability to verify that the owner is a Veteran or disabled Veteran, failure to prove a Veteran is the majority owner, and lack of day-to-day operational management of the company by a Veteran.

The Center for Veteran Enterprise (CVE) has also implemented extensive quality controls to ensure those firms verified are in fact eligible to compete as veteran owned firms.

For more information contact: Josh Taylor at 202-461-7216

for the University of California-San Diego and San Diego Beacon

Attn Veteran Owned Businesses and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses: (VOB/VOSB & SDVOSB/DVBE):

Project: The University of California at San Diego intends  hire, to retain and work jointly with 1-3 Agency (ies) (Businesses/Firms) for public relations services, website management services and video production services to effectively communicate the San Diego Beacon Community’s vision and activities to the San Diego health provider community and general public. San Diego is one of 17 communities nationwide selected by the Federal Government to lead the nation in improving health care through innovations in health information technology (health IT). The San Diego Beacon Community (SDBC), a collaborative organization whose federal funds are currently managed through the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), is a cooperative agreement to improve patient care, safety and efficiency through health IT in San Diego. One of the health IT components is a health information exchange (HIE). SDBC’s partners include, but not limited to: Council of Community Clinics, Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Kaiser Permanente, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Palomar Pomerado Health, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, San Diego County Medical Society, San Diego County Public Health Services, San Diego Medical Services, Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, UC San Diego Health System and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: The University of California at San Diego is soliciting statements of interest and qualifications from interested firms to provide Video Production services, Media and Public Relations, and Website Management. UCSD, on behalf of the San Diego Beacon Community (SDBC), desires to hire, retain and work jointly with one (1) to three (3) agencies on the three (3) separate engagements, outlined in the Scope of Work, for the period of one year. Under the direction of the SDBC Project Team, the agency (ies) will communicate SDBC’s vision and activities beginning with the introductory phase and the establishment of the SDBC’s identity. The SDBC’s mission and message will be consistently conveyed in all marketing and outreach efforts by the agency (ies) in order to provide continued visibility of the SDBC to the targeted consumers (such as health care professionals, service providers and the public at large) in a clear and concise manner.”

Click here to view solicitation information.

If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled  veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

The Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer has partnered with Veteran Owned Business to announce their Third Annual Military Appreciation Night: Red, White & Crew!

Sunday, June 26th at 8:00PM vs the MLS Cup Reigning Champions, Colorado Rapids.

Join the Columbus Crew in Celebrating the men and women of our Armed Forces. Many fun activities are planned for the entire family.

As a special thank you, the Columbus Crew are offering a FREE ticket to all service men and women, Active Duty or Veteran.  Military Family members can purchase a special discounted ticket for $20 (regular price $32.) To Order tickets, visit thecrew.com/militarynight. Deadline to order free and discounted tickets: June 23rd at 5pm.

• Pre-Game Military Themed Plaza with contests, activities and prizes
• POW/MIA Moment of Silence
• Coin Flip featuring a member of the Military
• Presentation of our National Colors
• Post-Game Fireworks Display
• and Much More

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If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

The following approved sub-categories have been suggested by one or more of our Veteran Owned Business Directory members:

1. On-Site Document Destruction (under Document Destruction and Shredding in the Security and Safety Category)
2. Off-Site Document Destruction (under Document Destruction and Shredding in the Security and Safety Category)
3. High Volume Shredding (under Document Destruction and Shredding in the Security and Safety Category)
4. Microfilm Destruction (under Document Destruction and Shredding in the Security and Safety Category)
5. Drum Set Manufacturers (under Musical Instrument Manufacturing in the Manufacturing Category)
6. Guitar Manufacturers (under Musical Instrument Manufacturing in the Manufacturing Category)
7. Musical Instrument Manufacturing (under the Manufacturing Category)
8. Musical Instruments (under Movies and Music in the Stores, Dealers, and Products Category)

If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

The following approved sub-categories have been suggested by one or more of our Veteran Owned Business Directory members:

1. Insurance Adjustment Services (under Insurance Services Category)
2. Moving Truck Rentals (under Relocation Services in the Real Estate Related Category)
3. eBooks (under Books and Magazines in the Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
4. Coffins and Caskets ( under Burial Equipment and Supplies in the Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
5. Coffins and Caskets (under Cases, Crates and Packaging in the Manufacturing Category)
6. Content Management Systems (under Internet Services)

If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.