The Small Business Administration (SBA) will award Women’s Business Centers $30 million in grant money for a variety of projects, including funds to establish a center in the United States Virgin Islands. The Small Business Administration will award Women’s Business Centers $30 million in grant money for a variety of projects, including funds to establish a center in the United States Virgin Islands.
The shortlisted groups will get up to $150,000 to open and operate a Women’s Business Center.
There are currently 152 in-person Women’s Business Centers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
For the first time, groups that provide largely or totally virtual counseling and training services to women-owned small businesses across the country will be eligible for funds, in addition to in-person locations.
The grants will be awarded in four categories: funding to assist women business owners in government contracting; funding to provide entrepreneurial development services to women-owned small businesses focused on providing child care services; funding to provide general entrepreneurial development services to women in areas other than where the centers currently exist; and funding to support the establishment of a center in the United States 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. For inquiries concerning these funds, contact the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership at owbo@sba.gov. The office was formed by executive decree in 1979.
