Brooklyn's Progress
December 2006/January 2007

BY WILLIAM M. MANGER, JR.

SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston presented a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster loan check to Major Matthew Tully, founder of Tully, Rinckey & Associates law firm in Clifton Park, NY this past summer.  While Tully was on active duty in Tikrit, Iraq as chief of operations of the 42nd infantry division of the New York Army National Guard, his law firm suffered substantial losses. 
Unfortunately, there are many more veterans facing the same obstacles as Tully when returning home from Iraq or other duty countries.  As a federal agency, it’s our responsibility to do our part in helping all veterans with their small business needs.

As President George W. Bush said a few months ago, “all of America's veterans have placed our Nation's security before their own lives, creating a debt that we can never fully repay.” At the SBA, we work hard to ensure that we too also “pay our debt” to America’s veterans in the best way we possibly can by offering the services of our Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). 
The OVBD helps veterans that either own a small business, wish to start one, or currently own a small business and have an essential employee(s) that has been called to serve.  The OVBD is dedicated to serving the veteran entrepreneur by formulating, executing and promoting policies and programs of the agency that provide assistance to veterans seeking small business information and assistance.

The OVBD offers veterans business outreach programs that are designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

For example, the Reserve and Guard Small Business Guide provides resources available from the SBA to help veterans restart their business after returning from active duty.  For a copy of this guide, visit www.sba.gov/reservists.

Eligible small businesses facing financial needs because an owner or an essential employee(s) was called to active duty can apply for the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL).  Small businesses may apply for the loan after the employee(s) receives his/her orders to report for active duty.  The loan application can be downloaded at www.sba.gov/reservists/disloan.html.

To speak directly to a SBA employee about the services we provide for veterans, please contact the SBA district office nearest you and ask for a Veterans Business Development Officer or for more information on the SBA’s OVDB, visit our website at www.sba.gov/vets.

As we prepare for the holidays, we are reminded of the men and women overseas who will not be with their families this year.  Their sacrifice and commitment to freedom will always be remembered.  The SBA is more determined than ever to providing the best quality services to our veterans.  As President Bush said, “our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best America can give them.”  We, at the SBA, will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the “best” small business services we can possibly provide for them today and tomorrow.

William M. Manger, Jr. is the regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Region II, with jurisdiction over agency activities throughout New York State, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.