Veteran Small Business Training
Boots to Business
The Little Rock AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) offers the two-day Boots to Business transition assistance program (TAP). The course is taught by SBA and ASBTDC personnel along with SCORE and other volunteer speakers. Service members and veterans of any branch may attend at no cost on an appointment basis. Classes are held in the A&FRC facilities at Little Rock Air Force Base. Contact the LRAFB AFRC at 501-987-2667 for dates and registration.
Live and On-Demand Options
ASBTDC offers a full range of seminars and events. Whether in garrison or deployed, take advantage of ASBTDC’s free webinars. These short online events are perfect when you need condensed, focused information. Find additional educational content on ASBTDC’s YouTube channel.
Veteran Small Business Opportunities
SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
The Office of Veterans Business Development’s mission is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.
SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
The OSDBU mission is to enable veterans to gain access to economic opportunity by leveraging the federal procurement system and expanding participation of procurement-ready small businesses.
VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative
The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as “VetFran,” was developed to help military men and women transition to civilian life. The idea of the late Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, VetFran is a voluntary effort of International Franchise Association member-companies that is designed to encourage franchise ownership by offering financial incentives to honorably discharged veterans.
To date, more than 350 franchise companies participate in the program. Their company profiles, as well as the financial incentives they offer to veterans, can be viewed in the VetFran directory.
Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative
National Veteran-Owned Business Association
NaVOBA unites current and future veteran-owned businesses by acting as the national voice for the veteran business movement. There are currently three million veteran-owned businesses in the United States.
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
For immediate assistance with your veteran-owned small business, please contact your nearest ASBTDC. Our consultants can help you develop a business plan or loan proposal for a new venture or look at ways to grow an existing business.
Mobilization and Your Small Business
If you are a small business who employs a National Guard and/or Reserve member who has been called up to active duty, or if you are yourself a National Guard and/or Reservist who owns a small business and has been called up to active duty, these handy publications can help you plan and prepare.
“Ready to Go” Mobilization Planning Guide
The “Ready to Go” Mobilization Planning Guide was prepared for business owners and self-employed members of the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center network staff in conjunction with the Office of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard.
Download READY TO GO Mobilization Planning Guide
Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans (MREIDL)
Small businesses that are owned by National Guard and Reserve members or that employ military Reservists called to active duty may qualify for Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans (MREIDL).
The purpose of the MREIDL program is to provide funds to eligible small businesses to meet ordinary and necessary operating expenses that it could have met, but is unable to meet, because an essential employee was called to active duty. The filing period for small businesses to apply for economic injury loan assistance begins on the date the essential employee is ordered to active duty and ends on the date 90 days after the essential employee is discharged or released from active duty. (NOTE: This program applies to military conflicts occurring or ending on or after March 24, 1999)
For immediate assistance applying for an MREIDL loan, contact your local ASBTDC.