WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced its intent to award funding to establish a new Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in Idaho, creating a dedicated center that will expand access to entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and resources for veterans, service members, and military spouses across the state. SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) worked alongside state leaders, including U.S. Senator Jim Risch, to designate funding for a dedicated VBOC in Idaho - which was previously served by the Business Impact NW VBOC in Washington state. The host organization and its associated services are expected to be identified and fully funded by 2027.
“The SBA is pleased to grow our network of VBOCs to expand the dedicated resources that Idaho veterans and service members deserve to start and grow their small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “I want to thank Senator Risch for his strong advocacy on behalf of Idaho’s veteran entrepreneurs, and for his partnership in bringing more resources to bear for those who served our nation. Under the leadership of President Trump, this Administration is proud to deliver the wraparound services to help veterans transition to the important mission of entrepreneurship.”
“Idaho is home to more than 12,000 veteran-owned small businesses and providing these entrepreneurs with an in-state resource will greatly benefit our veterans and our state,” said U.S. Senator Jim Risch. “I look forward to continue working with SBA and state partners in opening this Idaho-based VBOC to serve our veterans, reduce barriers to entrepreneurship, and watch these businesses succeed.”
The VBOC Program provides entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and other resources to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members interested in starting or growing a small business. SBA supports the program through cooperative agreements with host organizations that operate VBOCs and deliver these services in their communities. Today, 32 host organizations operate more than 50 VBOC locations across the country through cooperative agreements with the SBA.
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About the Office of Veterans Business Development
The SBA Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) works through SBA’s extensive resource partner network, including 51 Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) locations throughout the nation. VBOCs are the leading partners in delivering the “Boots to Business (B2B),” “Boots to Business Reboot,” and “Military Spouse Pathway to Business” programs—entrepreneurship courses offered on military installations and in local communities. Since B2B’s inception in 2013, these programs have collectively trained and graduated nearly 260,000 service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. OVBD’s broader resource partner network also includes Small Business Development Centers, the SCORE mentoring program, and Women’s Business Centers. For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit sba.gov/veterans.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.