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During the Korean War the Congress created yet another agency focusing on small business, the Small Defense Plants Administration. It carried a portfolio similar to its predecessor Smaller War Plants Corporation with the exception that small business lending authority remained with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The Small Defense Plants Administration performed initial screening and provided counseling services to small businesses and provided certification that they were competent to receive government contracts. The businesses then entered the loan process of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
If you're looking for a way to help your business grow, now would be a good time to understand how the government can help you with your small business needs. |
The Founding of SBA
To streamline government support for small business President Eisenhower proposed the formation of the Small Business Administration and it was created by Congress in July 1953." The charter also stipulated that SBA would ensure small businesses a "fair proportion" of government contracts and sales of surplus property.
Initially the SBA focused on providing direct loans to small businesses, guaranteeing bank loans and making loans to victims of natural disasters. The Administration also provided assistance to small businesses to procure government contracts and provided management consulting and technical assistance.
The Investment Company Act of 1958 established the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, under which SBA licensed, regulated and helped provide funds for privately owned and operated venture capital investment firms. They specialized in providing long-term debt and equity investments to high-risk small businesses. Its creation was the result of a Federal Reserve study that discovered, in the simplest terms, that small businesses could not get the credit they needed to keep pace with technological advancement.
In 1964 the SBA expanded its portfolio to join the War on Poverty, with the Equal Opportunity Loan Program (EOL). The Equal Opportunity Loan Program presented citizens living below the poverty level with the opportunity to receive credit with reduced collateral and application requirements. This enabled small businesses with sound business opportunities to get the financing that they needed to pursue them.
SBA Today
The breadth and scope of programs offered by the Small Business Administration has never been more extensive than it is today. The SBA helps and is an advocate for all U.S. small businesses in every enterprise category and every State and Territory. Whether its providing procurement assistance for federal contracts, management consulting, or outreach to women, minorities and veterans, the Small Business Administration is an able partner. SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.
Small Business Administration Background
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About The Author Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits a site on Government Grants for Women Owned Businesses and also edits HandsNet - A Human Services News Website. |
Additional Government Grants Resources
Health Care Innovation Challenge
The Centers for Medicare and & Medicaid Services has recently established the Health Care Innovation Challenge in an attempt to solicit proposals to establish interesting new models of service delivery that can potentially deliver the three-part aim of better health, better health care, and finally, lower costs through the improved quality of Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program.
The Collaborative Islet Transplantation Registry Program
The National Institutes of Health has formed a partnership with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in order to establish the The Collaborative Islet Transplantation Registry Program wherein both agencies seek to invite applications that intend to continue initiatives started through the Collaborative Islet Transplantation Registry (CITR).
Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Ophthalmic Formulations on Ocular Bioavailability Program
In this capacity, the Food and Drug Administration has recently established the Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Ophthalmic Formulations on Ocular Bioavailability Program in an attempt to study the effects of various physicochemical properties of ophthalmic suspensions and emulsions on ocular bioavailability.
2012 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs Opportunity
The Economic Development Administration has recently established the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program in an effort to solicit applications from urban and rural communities to create initiatives that could potentially advance new ideas and innovative strategies in an effort to address constantly changing economic conditions.
Improving Higher Education Quality Program in Vietnam
The United States Agency for International Development Headquarters in Bangkok has recently established the Improving Higher Education Quality Program in Vietnam.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Earthquake & Building Science Program Support Implementation
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently proposed to enter into a cooperative agreement entitled Earthquake and Building Science Program Implementation with the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc.(FLASH).
Downpayment Assistance Program for First Time Homebuyers in Connecticut
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority has been running the Downpayment Assistance Program in order to financially assist first time home buyers in the process of covering the downpayment and closing costs of purchasing a home.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Rwanda as Social Entrepreneur Fund Beneficiary
The Republic of Rwanda has been picked as one of the six African countries as beneficiaries for a new fellowship fund program designed at supporting social entrepreneurs in tackling issues on food security.
