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.

Technology Innovation Funding for Small Businesses and Exporting

Date: February 28, 2012 10:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CT Northwest Chamber of Commerce
Suite R101, 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790
Parking: Free
Registration: 9:45am-10:00am
Click here to register and find out more about this event

Join Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), the Small Business Association (SBA), the CT Procurement Technical Assistance Program (CT-PTAP), the U.S. Commercial Service, and the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at this informational seminar concerning Federal Small Business Innovation grants and Export assistance. If you are a veteran, woman, or minority-owned small tech business in Connecticut, come to this event to find out more about how we can help your small technology business compete in local, national, and global economies!

About the Connecticut Small Business SBIR Office:
A Federal and State Technology partnership program exists in Connecticut to provide education and support services in 2012 to women, minority, and veteran owned technology owned small businesses to help them understand and access federal Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grants. The federal Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program is a way for small tech. businesses to fund their research and development without taking out loans and without giving up equity or intellectual property. The Connecticut SBIR office has built best practices and an extensive networking database including major defense contractors and other leading firms that share an interest in increasing the diversity of their innovative and talented supply chains.

About the U.S. Commercial Service:
The U.S. Commercial Service is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. The U.S. Commercial Service promotes economic prosperity, enhances job creation, and strengthens national security through a global network of the best international trade professionals. It promotes and protects U.S. commercial interests aboard and delivers customized solutions to ensure that U.S. businesses are successful in the global marketplace.

About Connecticut PTAP:
The Procurement Technical Assistance Program provides marketing and technical assistance to Connecticut businesses selling, or interested in selling, their products and/or services to federal, state and local government agencies. Services include customized client bid matching, individual counseling, seminars, bid/proposal preparation, assistance with Central Contractor Registration (CCR), and specialized marketing assessments. Services are state wide and offered at no cost to businesses.

About the SBA:
SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses that have been specifically designed to meet key financing needs, including debt financing, surety bonds, and equity financing.
For more Information/Registration Contact:
Joshua Maurer: 1-860-638-6950 or joshua.maurer@trade.gov
Roberta Rossi: 1-860-257-2338 or roberta.rossi@ctionnovations.com
Anthony Sargis: 1-860-638-6950 or anthony.sargis@trade.gov

*Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Please contact Roberta Rossi at 860 257 2338 to make arrangements.

NASA Veteran Owned Business and SDVOSB Industry Day 2012
Houston Texas
January 31, 2012

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is announcing a “NASA-Wide Veteran Owned Small Business/Service Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Industry Day 2012” event to be hosted by the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center on January 31, 2012, in Houston, TX.

All Veteran Owned Small Businesses/Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses are highly encouraged to attend this NASA-wide event and participate in various Workshops such as “Responding to Market Research and Sources Sought Synopses”, “NASA Mentor Protégé Program”, “Small Business Program Changes”, and “Working with Prime Contractors”, as well as sign up for One-on-One Business Matchmaking Sessions to present your company capabilities. You will have the opportunity to present your company capabilities to various JSC Center Program and Technical Directorates, all the NASA Centers, as well as local JSC Large Prime Contractors.

NASA has placed high importance on achieving the SDVOSB goal  participation for Fiscal Year 2012 and beyond and therefore is seeking the maximum practicable attendance and participation of all SDVOSB’s.

Your attention is invited to visit the following weblink at
http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/SB-IndustryDay.html for more information on the Agenda for the day’s events, RSVP information, maps and directions, as well as to sign up for the Workshops and One-on-One Business Matchmaking Sessions.

VeteranOwnedBusiness.com is proud to announce the addition of several new sub-categories added to our Free Veteran Owned Business Directory of over 8,000 members.

“I applaud Mark’s dedication to his community as a small business owner and his commitment to our nation as a former military member,” said Bachmann. “At a time when Americans face a high unemployment rate and a dismal economic outlook, I encourage all of my constituents to, like Mark, find solutions that will put their fellow Americans back to work again. I am so proud to represent Mark Ellson in our nation’s capital and I wish him continued success as a small business owner.”

At the VIP graduation ceremony, Bachmann’s Legislative Assistant, Chase Kroll, presented Ellson with a copy of the official statement in the Congressional Record recognizing his achievements in the VIP program. The statement reads:

Mister Speaker, this month, veteran business owners from across the nation are receiving special training through the National Center for the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP). Upon completion of this training, these veteran employers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to compete in the federal government contract process. Today it’s my honor to recognize one of those veterans, President and CEO of JEMNI Inc., Mark Ellson, of Woodbury, Minnesota upon his graduation from VIP.

As a small-business owner, Mark brings more than 20 years of experience to providing services and products for his customers. Mark was a perfect candidate for the VIP certification because of his distinction as an Army combat and service disabled veteran and his dedication to hiring other disabled veterans. VIP invests in veteran-owned businesses because they know owners, like Mark, will strongly consider hiring and mentoring a veteran for future business growth. This VIP certification strengthens Mark’s ability to secure federal government contracts that will grow his business, and in turn, increase job opportunities for veterans.

Mister Speaker, Mark’s dedication to veterans is admirable in every way and it is my sincere wish that the VIP certification will continue to create jobs for these heroes in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District and beyond. Please join me in congratulating Mark Ellson of JEMNI, Inc. on his graduation from the National Center for the Veteran Institute for Procurement.

The statement recognizing Ellson appeared in the Oct. 13 edition of the Congressional Record. The Congressional Record is the official record of the U.S. House of Representatives.

VIP is a program sponsored by Maryland’s Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and is designed to help teach veterans how to navigate the federal contracting market as small business owners.

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This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.   Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer.  VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.

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.

(Columbus, Ohio) It has been a little more than a month since announcing the creation of the Veterans Affairs Committee for Columbus City Council and already the chair of the committee, Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, is proposing a significant change to the Columbus City Code that will assist veteran-owned businesses compete for city contracts.  Craig, a Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran himself, says the legislation will add veteran-owned businesses to those enterprises certified and tracked by the Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office (EBOCO).

The change, announced at the annual Veteran’s Stand Down event held at Veteran’s Memorial, will allow those businesses to better compete for city contracts in the same manner as minority or female owned businesses currently participate in the bid process.   The change also provides veteran-owned businesses with bid counseling and start-up assistance from EBOCO.

“By increasing our services for veteran-owned businesses, the City of Columbus once again is demonstrating its commitment to helping those who protected the very freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” said Craig.   “This is a business friendly initiative that will help position these firms to expand their opportunities to do work for the city.”

Craig has also committed to exploring the feasibility of awarding credits against cost for bids submitted by certified veteran-owned businesses.  This policy would mirror existing credits for local workforce and local businesses.

Columbus City Council recently passed ordinance 1325-2011, legislation that extends for another year military leave with pay to City employees currently serving on active duty, including the health and life insurance benefits for their family members.  City Council also supports the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Committee and takes part in numerous activities thought the year supporting our servicemen and women.

View Press Release

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This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.   Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer.  VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.

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.

Nominate Someone for America’s Most Influential Business Connector, Best Business Connector in the San Francisco Bay Area and Beyond the Call U.S. Veteran in Business Awards

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This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.   Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer.  VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.

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.

5th Annual VOB and SDVOSB Matchmaker Event and Training Conference
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Naval Station Newport
NUWCDIVNPT Bldg. 80 Training Room

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
SERVICE DISABLED & VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

• Meet with purchasing agents from prime contractors to the Navy that may have an interest in your product or service

• Learn about current issues of importance to all Veterans who run small businesses

• Find resources to maximize your potential to do government contracting and subcontracting

Click Here for Registration

HOSTED BY:

 SPONSORED BY:

“The RI Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration”

Directions to the 5th Annual VOB and SDVOSB Matchmaker Event and Training Conference: Route 114 (West Main Road) Middletown to Access Road/Gate 17 (look for signs to Courtyard Marriott Middletown, Navy Credit Union and Corporate Place). Follow Access Road down toward water. Gate will be on the right. Building 80 is just after the gate on the right. Large sign in front reads NAVSEA. Parking in front and around back.

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

Department of Veterans Affairs’ NEWS FLASH

The Mentor-Protégé Program submission period has been extended to September 16, 2011

The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended the open period for the Mentor-Protégé Program to September 16, 2011 COB (5:00pm ET).

Please visit the Mentor-Protégé Program website at http://www.va.gov/OSDBU/veteran/mpp.asp for further information.

Please contact Fernando Guerra or Chuck Southern if you have any questions regarding the Program.

Regards,

Fernando J. Guerra
Small Business Specialist
Small Business Programs Office
Department of Veterans Affairs

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.