The Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled four funding opportunities amounting to $30 million aimed at supporting Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). This initiative focuses on expanding the WBC network, establishing a new WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and providing specialized funding for WBCs that concentrate on federal contracting and childcare services.
Additionally, the SBA is now offering funding to organizations that primarily deliver virtual counseling and training services for women-owned small businesses across the nation. This effort recognizes the increasing importance of digital services and seeks to broaden the SBA’s reach to entrepreneurs who may not have easy access to the current WBC network, particularly those in rural areas, tribal lands, and military families.
Funding Opportunities:
1. Support for Women Business Owners in Government Contracting: Funding aimed at assisting women business owners with application readiness for certification in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Programs, as well as providing procurement assistance and entrepreneurial development.
2. Entrepreneurial Development Services for Child Care Providers: Funding designated for offering entrepreneurial development services specifically to women-owned small businesses that focus on childcare services.
3. General Entrepreneurial Development Services: Funding intended to provide general entrepreneurial development services to women, particularly targeting socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs located outside existing WBC geographical areas in the U.S. and its territories, with an option for mostly or entirely virtual services
4. Opening a WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Funding allocated to support the establishment of a WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“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,” said Christina Hale, Assistant Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. “By investing in women’s economic potential, the SBA is fostering innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our communities.”
The SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education, and support. Since it was established in response to an Executive Order in 1979, OWBO has provided training, counseling, technical assistance, access to credit and capital, as well as marketing opportunities to women.
To learn more about SBA’s programs and services for women entrepreneurs, visit http://www.sba.gov/women.
To find other WBC locations and SBA resources, visit www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance.