(SILVER CITY, NM)-Military veterans and National Guard/Reserve/transitioning active-duty service members in Silver City and the surrounding areas who are interested in starting or expanding their own business are invited to a free business development lunch workshop on August 10 from 11:30am-1:15pm at the Western New Mexico University Student Cafeteria, located at 1000 West College Avenue.

Spouses are also invited to attend. A free hot lunch will be provided for all.

Among the topics to be covered are: How to determine if a business idea is feasible, available financial assistance for veterans, special business incentives for New Mexico veterans, how to create a business plan, how to pursue government contracting possibilities, veteran-friendly franchise opportunities, and other ways the New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) and the presenting partner agencies can help entrepreneurial-minded veterans and spouses.

As an added bonus, attendees can take advantage of private on-site "walk-in" business counseling sessions for more personal assistance

The workshop is part of the ongoing On the Road series of business development workshops for veterans presented by the VBOC'the business development division of the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services'along with partnering agencies the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Mexico Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the SBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), and Wells Fargo Bank. The Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce is also a partner agency for this workshop.

"For many people, running your own business and being your own boss is part of the American Dream," said VBOC Business Advisor Rich Coffel. "For veterans, it's a great way to utilize the training and skills learned in the military. At this workshop, we will show veterans how to use these skills along with the many resources available to them as veterans to successfully start and grow a business."

For more information, contact the Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce at (575) 538-3785 or http://www.silvercity.org/events/details/veteran-s-business-outreach-center-on-the-road-in-silver-city-404.

The New Mexico Veterans' Business Outreach Center
The New Mexico Veterans' Business Outreach Center (VBOC) was created by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services to help veteran-owned businesses. It was the first such state-funded center in the nation created specifically to help veterans.

The VBOC is administered through a grant issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is managed by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services. The VBOC was established to assist military veterans with their business development needs. New Mexico's VBOC is located in Albuquerque but provides service to any veteran statewide.

For more information about the VBOC, contact Rich Coffel at (505) 383-2402 or richardl.coffel@state.nm.us.