Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act 2018: What You Need to Qualify

If you’re a veteran running a business, you’re in good company. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are about 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses in the U.S. employing around 5.8 million people. The 2012 Census Bureau Survey of Small Business Owners showed that 99.9 percent of all of these businesses qualified as small businesses, meaning veterans are to thank for numerous thriving enterprises and job opportunities across the country.

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Clearly, entrepreneurship appeals to veterans, most of whom choose to start their own businesses rather than purchase existing enterprises or take the helm at family-owned companies. But getting a business off the ground isn’t easy – or cheap. Just purchasing equipment can take a huge chunk out of your budget.

Thanks to the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, you could save a lot of money on these essentials and have more to put back into serving customers and growing your business.

Overview of Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act

The statistics make clear the benefits of a veteran-owned small business to the U.S. economy. After sacrificing so much for the country, many veterans are continuing their support by providing goods, services, and jobs. Just over 9 percent of all businesses in the U.S. are majority-owned by veterans and bring in $1.14 trillion in total revenue annually.

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The Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act is one way the country is giving back to its veterans. Signed into law on January 3, 2019, the new provision amends section 32 of the Small Business Act “to provide veteran-owned small businesses access to surplus property owned by the federal government.” This equipment may include:

• Construction vehicles
• Farming equipment
• Office furnishings
• Scientific equipment
• Technology

By making otherwise costly equipment available through the General Services Administration (GSA) federal surplus property program, the government is offering veteran-owned small businesses a better chance of success.

Veteran Small Business Loan Enhancement Act: Certification Process

Before you can start collecting veteran small business benefits, you must first be certified as a veteran-owned business through the SBA. You can do so on their website, where you can also search for veteran-owned businesses within their database.

To qualify, your business must be:

• 51% owned and operated by a U.S. veteran
• Registered as a small business with SAM.gov, a government website
• Within the SBA’s small business size standards

At National Business Capital, we’re proud to work with veterans as they build and set out on their growth plans. If your veteran-owned business needs access to capital, our Business Finance Advisors can help you get the most amount of money you qualify for.

How You Can Qualify for a Veteran Small Business Loan?

If you’re a veteran starting your own business or trying to expand an existing business, you know how hard it can be to stay within your budget. Small business loans can help, but if you qualify for equipment under the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, you don’t have to worry about spending a bundle on what you need. You might not even require a loan at all, or it may be possible to take out a much smaller loan and put the money toward other business growth strategies instead of sinking most of it into equipment purchases.

For your Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act application to qualify, your business must be recognized as a “[concern] owned and controlled by veterans (as verified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 8127 of title 38, United States Code).” Verification requires a listing in the database of veteran-owned businesses maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. You can apply to be verified and listed through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) “Vets First” verification program.

Businesses are verified if they meet the following criteria:

• Business owners have served on active duty with the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard and were released or discharged honorably
• At least 51 percent of the business is owned by veterans
• One or more veterans have full control of business operations, along with the experience and knowledge necessary to manage the company

The VA also requires extensive documentation, which is different for each entity type. However, taking the time to put these documents together could pay off in a big way if you qualify. Qualification gives you access to not only the equipment program but also other government resources for veteran-run companies.

Apply for Help to Improve Your Veteran-Owned Small Business

Once your business has been listed and verified by the VA, it’s time to get in touch with the State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP) in your area. These agencies are in charge of distributing federal surplus property, including equipment. The contact person for your state can answer your questions and guide you through the application and qualification process.

Qualifying companies get the veteran-owned business benefits of this program at next to no cost. You might be charged some fees for handling, shipping, and administrative expenses, but these should be nominal compared to buying the equipment outright. Upon qualification, you can use the GSAXcess portal to search for and claim the equipment you need. You must commit to using the equipment within one year of acquiring it and for at least one year afterward if you want to take advantage of the savings.

Get Funding for Your Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise

National Business Capital recognizes the importance of veteran-owned businesses to the U.S. economy and is ready and willing to help with any business need.

We offer a wide variety of business loans to help boost cash flow while waiting for government approvals. In addition, they also provide equipment financing, which offers lower rates, larger amounts, and longer terms with a much faster and simpler process than the government. To find out more, call Call (877) 482-3008 for a free consultation, or fill out our digital application online.