The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) marked 65 years of serving as a voice and ally to millions of small businesses on June 30. Since its founding in 1953, SBA has connected small businesses with access to funding, mentoring, counseling, and when disaster strikes, support to recover and get back to business.
“The SBA has helped make the ‘American Dream’ possible for millions of aspiring entrepreneurs over the years, and today the SBA’s commitment to growing the nation’s small business sector is as strong as it’s ever been,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon.
“On our 65th year, we renew our commitment to providing relevant products and services to these vital job creators. As the administration’s policies continue to drive our economy forward and encourage more Americans to return to the workforce, small business owners and entrepreneurs will look to create and expand. SBA will be their partner every step of the way,” she said.
There are currently over 30 million small businesses, and they create two out of every three net new jobs in the private sector each year, and more than half of all Americans either work for or own a small business. SBA provides a “hand up” to these businesses with access to capital, mentorship and counseling to entrepreneurs, and connections to contracting opportunities. Also, SBA directly issues low-interest loans to people affected by declared disasters.
“In the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands districts, we are proud to serve with an agency that throughout its 65-year history has helped so many individuals turn their dream of small business ownership into a reality, create new jobs and invest in their communities,” said SBA District Director Yvette T. Collazo.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the small business sector and look forward to many more years of providing entrepreneurs with training, counseling and contracting opportunities that will help them grow and compete effectively in the marketplace,” she said.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.
To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
