The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering $30 million in grant funding for Women’s Business Centers, including funding to open a center in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Organizations that are selected will receive up to $150,000 to open and operate a Women’s Business Center.
Currently, there are 152 in-person Women’s Business Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For the first time, organizations that provide virtual counseling and training services to women-owned small businesses will also be eligible for the grants, along with in-person offices.
The grants will be awarded in four areas: supporting women business owners in government contracting, providing entrepreneurial development services to women-owned small businesses focused on child care services, offering general entrepreneurial development services to women in areas without existing centers, and supporting the opening of a center in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Christina Hale, Assistant Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, stated that every new WBC helps open doors for women entrepreneurs by providing training and assistance to grow their small businesses. For any questions about these grants, individuals can contact the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership through email at owbo@sba.gov. This office was established by executive order in 1979.