The Saint Louis Veterans Business Resource Center (VBRC) is a Project of the Veterans Advocacy Foundation; a St. Louis based nonprofit organization, with supporting funding provided by The Veterans Corporation, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Alexandria, VA, and with the help of local members of the Veteran Business Community.
WHO CAN WE HELP? The VBRC serves:
- Active Duty Personnel transitioning to civilian life
- Reserve and National Guard members, both pre and post deployment,
- Honorably discharged Veterans who are self-employment ready
- Veterans with existing businesses and Veterans preparing for self-employment are eligible for services.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP YOU?
- Business Counseling and Consulting
- Business Plan Review and Assistance
- Loan Packaging Assistance and Guidance
- Structured Entrepreneurial training courses, presented by VBRC Staff, utilizing the P.A.C.E. Program from Ohio State University as well as suplementary Seminars, featuring well-informed and engaging speakers
- Advocacy services for Veteran business owners
- Extensive network of contacts within and without theVeteran Community.
HISTORY OF CENTER
The Veterans Business Resource Center(VBRC) is a Project of the Veterans Advocacy Foundation, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Funding for the Center is provided by The Veterans Corporation, Enterprise Rent a Car Foundation, Commerce Bank, members of the Veteran business community and public spirited private donors.
The VBRC opened it's doors on June 7 th , 2004, with a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by US Senator Jim Talent (R) MO. While a Representative, Talent authored Public Law 106-50, the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Business Development Act of 1999. One of the provisions of that law opened the door for community based organizations to establish an independent nationwide network of business assistance and information centers for Veterans. St. Louis VBRC competed with a number of major US Cities for the honor of being the first such center in the Nation.