Business Outreach Center Open to Help Harford Veteran-Owned Companies

Havre de Grace MD

07 April, 2022

12:11 PM

Description

Veterans who want to start or grow a business have a new resource in Harford County and can learn more at a meet-and-greet on April 19. The new Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in Havre de Grace provides business and entrepreneurial support services to active-duty personnel, veterans, service members transitioning out of the military, reservists, and military spouses. The VBOC is open to eligible Harford County residents by appointment only. Services offered include training, counseling, mentorship, referrals, and educational opportunities, like the Boots to Business program: a training course that gives veterans and their spouses an overview of the steps to business ownership. Virtual Boots to Business courses are held at Aberdeen Proving Ground. VBOC is a national Small Business Administration (SBA) program, and is funded in Harford County as part of a five-year, $2 million grant awarded to the University of Maryland by SBA to extend resources to aspiring veteran entrepreneurs throughout the Mid-Atlantic using local resource partners. The program will be facilitated locally by the Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development. "The Veterans Business Outreach Center is a one-stop-shop for military veterans and their spouses interested in starting or expanding a small business venture," Ryan Del Gallo, counselor for the MidAtlantic VBOC, said. "We are honored to provide value in the northern Maryland region to veteran entrepreneurs, and we are appreciative of the vision and support from Harford County's Office of Community and Economic Development and their ongoing commitment to our veteran community." The VBOC is co-located with Harford County's other business support services, which include the Office of Small Business Programs – Aberdeen Proving Ground, the Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the Army Network-Cross Functional Team. The offices are just 1.5 miles from the APG gate and allow for collaboration, engagement, and technology transfer between the defense and industry sectors. "We welcome the VBOC here in Harford County to provide additional supports for veterans who want to start or expand a business," County Executive Barry Glassman said. "Our service men and women have made great sacrifices in service to our country, and we are proud to help pave their way to successful business ownership." For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Ryan del Gallo at [email protected] or 443-373-3377. The Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development will hold a meet-and-greet and ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19 to commemorate the launch of Harford's VBOC's program. The event will be held at the GroundFloor at Harford, located at 2021-G Pulaski Highway in Havre de Grace. County Executive Glassman and other county, state, and military representatives from Aberdeen Proving Ground will be in attendance. Harford County service members interested in starting or expanding a business and their families are invited to attend; registration is encouraged. To register, please contact Bonnie Barresi, business development associate at the Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development, at [email protected] or 410-638-3338.