The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary of supporting and certifying service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses (SD/VOBs) [1393bbb9]. NVBDC has certified thousands of veteran-owned businesses over the past decade, providing them with opportunities for growth and networking. The NVBDC is the sole veteran business certification agency accepted by the members of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, and its certified businesses received over $4 billion in corporate contracts in 2023. The NVBDC also offers mentoring, advocacy, and education to veteran entrepreneurs. The organization believes that its certified SD/VOBs will be the next generation of major corporations. NVBDC's 10th anniversary is a call to action for veteran entrepreneurs and organizations to be part of a community that values service, leadership, and excellence [1393bbb9].
Virginia has been ranked as the best state for veteran-owned businesses in the United States [ed120f1d]. The ranking was based on several metrics, including veterans' income, employment, business ownership, startup survival, patent innovation, and new business growth. Virginia stood out for its strong earnings and employment opportunities for veterans, with a median income of $68,124 compared to $41,429 among nonveterans. Other top states for veteran entrepreneurs included Wyoming, Oregon, West Virginia, and South Dakota. The rankings highlighted that states with a strong veteran labor market may not necessarily be the most entrepreneurial, and vice versa. Massachusetts was recognized for its high rate of patents and startup survival, while Alaska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Maryland also made the top 10. The article concludes by providing tips for veterans looking to start their own businesses, emphasizing the importance of a strong business plan, networking, and establishing solid legal and financial structures [ed120f1d].
Court Pendleton, a veteran and veteran's service officer, has been honored with the 2023 Pillar Award for his dedication to helping veterans and their community in Southern Utah [279d8e62]. Pendleton, who served 26 years in the Army National Guard and completed multiple deployments, goes above and beyond his job requirements to assist veterans. He has worked closely with law enforcement to ensure they are prepared to handle crises involving veterans. Pendleton is described as the ultimate connector in the military community, using his interpersonal skills to build trust and help people find solutions to their problems [279d8e62].
The Veterans Administration (VA) provides comprehensive support for veteran-owned real estate businesses. The VA's Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) offers training, counseling, and outreach programs to equip veteran entrepreneurs with the skills they need. The VA also offers low-interest loans through its Small Business Loan program. Partnerships with organizations like the National Association of Realtors provide additional resources. The VA's Veterans First Contracting Program prioritizes veteran-owned small businesses for government contracts. These resources demonstrate the VA's commitment to helping veterans succeed in real estate entrepreneurship.
The article also provides a list of the 30 cities in the US with the highest number of veterans. The population of veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War has been steadily declining. The US Government's Department of Veterans Affairs allocated over $266 billion towards various services for veterans in fiscal year 2022. Veterans face disparities in employment rates and have lower labor force participation compared to non-veterans. However, veteran-owned businesses are an important part of the US economy, generating over $1 trillion in revenue and employing 6 million Americans. The article also highlights three companies, Boeing, Duke Energy Corporation, and Steel Dynamics Inc, that actively hire veterans and support veteran initiatives. The list of cities with the highest number of veterans includes Evans, Georgia; Lawton, Oklahoma; Bellevue, Nebraska; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Pahrump, Nevada; Sun City, Arizona; Hampton, Virginia; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Fleming Island, Florida; Twentynine Palms, California; Enterprise, Alabama; Sun City Center, Florida; The Villages, Florida; Leavenworth, Kansas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; O'Fallon, Illinois; Fortuna Foothills, Arizona; Clarksville, Tennessee; Alamogordo, New Mexico; Security-Widefield, Colorado; Schertz, Texas; Fountain, Colorado; Sun City West, Arizona; Cibolo, Texas; and Navarre, Florida. [96ecdc62] [1393bbb9] [ed120f1d] [279d8e62]