Congressman Roe’s "Services for Those Who Have Served" Veteran’s Event
March 13, 2012
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU and ETSU’s College of Business and Technology will host a free “Services for Those Who Have Served” Veteran’s Event on Friday, March 23 from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Millennium Centre, 2001 Millennium Place, Johnson City.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
“Services for Those Who Have Served,” is hosted by Congressman Phil Roe in partnership with Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Bob Corker highlighting information on veteran-focused programs available from resource providers in Northeast Tennessee.
Veterans in Northeast Tennessee and the Tri-Cities area will have the opportunity to learn about services available in housing, small business loans, federal contracting and educational services.
“Ensuring our service members have a better quality of life for the sacrifices they made is always at the forefront of my mind,” said, Congressman Roe.
“That is why I am pleased to host such an important event that will create new opportunities for our veterans. As a veteran, I support action to better the health and well-being of our service members and their families through my work in Congress, and as a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.”
Representatives of federal agencies and higher education will be on-site, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC), East Tennessee State University (ETSU), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. All will discuss special programs specifically focused on those who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
“This is a great opportunity for ETSU to reach out to veterans so they have an awareness of the vast resources available to them,” said Dr. Linda Garceau, Dean of ETSU’s College of Business & Technology, which is sponsoring the event. “In education, there are services through the university to returning veterans who aspire to earn a college degree and we want our returning soldiers to access these opportunities.”
Housing will also be covered at the event as there are home loan rental assistance programs available to veterans. “With today’s low home mortgage rates, veterans may purchase a home through a FHA loan,” said Ed Ellis, Field Office Manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “We encourage veterans to attend the event to learn more about the housing and job opportunities,” he added.
With skills learned in military service, returning soldiers may have an interest in starting a small business. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration will discuss what it takes to start a small business and loans available specifically to veterans. “Veterans are eligible for SBA’s Patriot Express loan of up to $500,000,” said Walter Perry, District Director for SBA, “so working capital is available for both veterans and their spouses to start a small business.”
“The service men and women with whom I have had the privilege to serve have always displayed a “Can-Do/Will-Do’ attitude,” said TSBDC at ETSU Director, Dr. Bob Justice. “This is precisely the attitude required to be successful in business.”
Federal contracting activities with the Department of Veterans Affairs will be discussed. Included will be how veteran-owned small businesses can offer goods and services to the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center and other VA facilities.
“Services for Those Who Have Served” will also feature the Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Colonel Many Bears Grinder, who will highlight services offered by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs to those in the Volunteer State who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
The event is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with networking and coffee at 8 a.m. Advanced registration is required and must be received by March 22, 2012. Anyone interested can register online at tsbdc.org or call (423) 439.8505 for more information.
It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.
The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.
To schedule your free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call Marybeth McLain at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, mmclain@kosbe.org.
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE — The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.
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