Taking care of business

They’ve worn the uniform of military service for their country and followed orders.

Now they’ll have the chance to make a few business decisions of their own this month when Auburn University’s Small Business Development Center hosts its Small Business for Veterans Workshop.

The workshop is designed for veterans, both disabled and on active duty, as well as their spouses and widows. It will cover a range of topics concerning small businesses such as start-up procedures, financing, marketing and employee relations.

A 2006 state summary report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, places the number of veterans making Alabama their home at 418,000.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, companies that employ less than 500 people are small businesses. Here in Alabama, small businesses comprise about 97 percent of all businesses in the state.

This is the first time the SBDC has held a workshop specifically for veterans, according to Jackie DiPofi, director of the SBDC.

The Small Business Association has a loan program called the Patriot Express Loan, designed for veterans.

Members of the small business community will be on hand to answer questions veterans have about starting a small business and resource materials will also be provided to those in attendance.

While the workshop is very much about creating new businesses and economic opportunities for area veterans, for DiPofi it’s also about recognizing the contributions of servicepersons.

“This workshop is an opportunity to thank veterans for their service,” DiPofi said. “In this country, we have great freedoms to pursue business endeavors and we owe much of that freedom to our veterans.”

If you go
What: Small Business for Veterans Workshop

When: from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday

Where: Auburn University, Lowder Business Building, Room 015

Workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call 844-4220.