Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to Host Veteran Small Business Summit in Rockford

CHICAGO – If you are an Illinois Veteran who owns your own business or possesses the skills and determination to start one, then the upcoming “Mission: Veterans 2 Entrepreneurs” event on Tuesday, November 20th in Rockford, Ill., is for you.

This is a great opportunity for veterans to learn about procurement opportunities with the State of Illinois, plus other federal and local government agencies. In addition, many not-for-profit organizations and local government agencies that provide assistance to small business owners will be in attendance, including the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Illinois Small Business Set Aside Program, Illinois Business Enterprise Program (BEP), Rockford Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, Rockford Economic Development Council, and the Capital Development Board.

Hosted by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) and Illinois Central Management Services (CMS), this free program will also provide important information as to how veterans can certify their business in the State of Illinois as “veteran-owned,” which makes them eligible to receive up to 3 percent of state government contracts and services. 

The “Mission: Veterans 2 Entrepreneurs” Summit will take place from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at the Navy Club of Rockford-Ship No. 1, 2324 Charles Street, Rockford, IL, 61104. To RSVP for the event, please call (312) 814-5538 or email Alberto.Lopez@Illinois.gov.

For more information about IDVA and other veteran initiatives, visit www.veterans.illinois.gov.