MT SBA resource partners to help service members
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
News from MT Department of Commerce
MONTANA — The Montana Small Business Development Center network recently completed a first-of-its-kind Veteran Ready Business Advisor training with the COMMIT Foundation, a national nonprofit working to change the narrative around veteran transition.
Delivered in partnership with the Big Sky Veterans Business Outreach Center, SBDC advisors and resource partners expanded their cross-cultural awareness to better serve their veteran clients transitioning to small business ownership in Montana.
“As Montana’s economy continues to recover from the pandemic, our SBDC advisors know that a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem is vital for the strength of our communities,” said Chad Moore, Montana SBDC state director. “This training helps to ensure that our advisors have the tools they need to help transitioning service members find success in small business ownership after they leave the military.”
A recent study from the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families points to unique challenges facing veteran entrepreneurs as they started businesses after leaving the military. In fact, “46 percent of veteran entrepreneurs indicated that navigating the resources in their local community was not easy.” This data combined with the fact that veteran entrepreneurs are having a harder time accessing capital than non-veteran businesses led the VBOC to partner with the SBDC to help Montana become even more “Veteran Ready” with efforts to support veteran entrepreneurship.
“Montanans understand that our communities are stronger when veteran entrepreneurs thrive,” said Dustin Frost, Big Sky VBOC director. “With resources like the VBOC and now “Veteran Ready” business advisors all over the state, transitioning service members can confidently know that their business dreams can flourish in Montana with the assistance of individuals who not only care about their success, but can understand and relate to their military experience and unique transition challenges.”
The COMMIT Foundation was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. The mission is to help exceptional American service members and veterans’ transition into successful roles and careers post-service through veteran transition and workforce development programs.
The highly customized Veteran Programs help individuals fill gaps in information, confidence, imagination and ultimately find their purpose after military service. The Corporate Education Program draws upon decades of workforce development and military expertise to help organizations shift from being veteran friendly to veteran ready and support the successful transition, reintegration and reinvestment of military talent into their organizations and communities. To learn more about The COMMIT Foundation visit commitfoundation.org.
