News

The Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will collaborate with the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to support veterans at a local event during National Veterans Small Business Week. 

 The Small Business Connect: Resources for Veterans and All Entrepreneurs Showcase will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Collinsville American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St. in Collinsville. Monsanto is sponsoring the event that brings together local business resources to support veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

Now entering its fourth year, National Veterans Small Business Week raises awareness of veteran business ownership and encourages communities to support businesses owned by individuals in the military and veteran communities. It also inspires business support and mentorship within the veteran and military community, while connecting these business owners to entrepreneurship resources administered through SBA and its stakeholders. 

“This is an opportunity veteran entrepreneurs and business owners will not want to miss,” said Jo Ann DiMaggio May, SBDC director and small business specialist. “Veteran agencies and organizations are encouraged to invite their members, as well as other business-building and networking organizations.” 

There is no cost to attend the event. For more information and to register, visit SmallBizVet. 

The Metro East SBDC assists existing companies, as well as new businesses headquartered in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is a no-cost service to the community supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and SIUE.     

By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining jobs and encouraging capital investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large. To learn how the SBDC can help your small business, contact the Metro East SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com.