The Small Business Administration (SBA) announces $30 million in grant funding for women’s business centers
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced $30 million in funding for Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). This initiative aims to expand the WBC network and support WBC opening in the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing specialized financing to WBCs with a focus on federal contracting and child care work.
The organization’s director, Isabel Casillas Guzman, highlighted the importance of this funding, noting that the expanded WBC network will better support women entrepreneurs. She noted that virtual counseling and training services will now be available to women-owned small businesses across the country, increasing accessibility for those living in rural areas, tribal lands and military families.
The specialized white blood cells will join a network of 152 personal white blood cells in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that provide entrepreneurial services to women, especially those in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, are eligible to apply for funding.
Eligible organizations can receive up to $150,000 to open and operate a WBC. The four funding opportunities include:
- Supporting women business owners in government contracting, assistance preparing for applications for certification in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) programs, assistance with procurement, and entrepreneurship development.
- Providing entrepreneurship development services to women-owned small businesses that focus on childcare services.
- Providing public entrepreneurship development services for women, with a focus on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in areas outside the geographic scope of existing business centers, with the option of providing mostly or entirely virtual services.
- Support the opening of the WBC in the US Virgin Islands.
Christina Hill, associate director of the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, emphasized the impact of these new centers, saying, “Each new WBC helps open doors for women entrepreneurs who need access to training and practical assistance to stand up and grow their small businesses…and through investment.” In Women’s Economic Potential, SBA works to foster innovation, create jobs, and strengthen our communities.
A virtual workshop for WBC applicants will provide more information to organizations interested in these grant opportunities. Details of this event will be included in the funding opportunity notice. Questions may be directed to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Women’s Business Ownership at: owbo@sba.gov.
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