U.S. SBA announces $30m grant funding for women’s business centers

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled a $30 million grant initiative aimed at expanding the network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs).

This funding will support the establishment of a new WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands and provide specialized resources for centers focusing on federal contracting and childcare businesses.

SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman underscored the significance of this initiative, stating that the expanded WBC network will enhance support for women entrepreneurs. “Virtual counseling and training services will now be accessible to women-owned small businesses nationwide, including those in rural areas, tribal lands, and military families,” Guzman said.

The specialized WBCs will join an existing network of 152 centers across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that offer entrepreneurial services to women, particularly those in socially and economically disadvantaged areas, are eligible to apply for the funding.

Eligible organizations can receive up to $150,000 to open and operate a WBC. The four funding opportunities include:

1. Supporting Women Business Owners in Government Contracting: Assisting with application readiness for certification in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Programs, procurement assistance, and entrepreneurial development.
2. Childcare Services: Providing entrepreneurial development services to women-owned small businesses focused on childcare services.
3. General Entrepreneurial Development: Offering general entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in areas outside the geographical reach of existing WBCs, with the option to provide mostly or entirely virtual services.
4. New WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Supporting the opening of a new Women’s Business Center in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Christina Hale, Assistant Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, highlighted the positive impact of these new centers. “Every new WBC helps open doors for women entrepreneurs who need access to training and practical assistance to stand up and grow their small businesses. By investing in women’s economic potential, the SBA is fostering innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our communities,” Hale stated.

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