Ask the Treasurer

November 2019

Dear Fiona,

I recently saw a post on your Facebook page about a free seminar for veterans your office hosted. I am a veteran looking to build a business. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend your seminar. Could you please share what resources are available to help start and grow my business?

Adam

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Dear Adam,

Access to capital is essential to getting your business off the ground. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a number of resources to veterans like yourself to help you access capital and prepare for business opportunities. SBA’s “Lender Match” service is a free online referral tool that connects business owners with lenders. Qualified veterans and military members, including military spouses, may receive a waiver of the up-front guarantee fee on SBA Express Loans. The SBA also offers business plan workshops, mentorship, and entrepreneurial education and training courses that feature customized curriculums, in-person classes, and online courses to give veterans the training to succeed in their business ventures. To learn more about the resources available for veterans, please contact a local SBA office. There are Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) and SBA District Offices located across the country. For more information, please visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/veteran-owned-businesses.

Additionally, my office offers the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for small businesses. This program encourages banks and other financial institutions to issue loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact CalCAP’s program managers at (916) 654-5610, or via email at CalCAP@treasurer.ca.gov. You can also get more information at the CalCAP website: https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/sb/index.asp

Sincerely,
Fiona

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Readers:
Send your questions for California State Treasurer Fiona Ma via email to: AskFiona@treasurer.ca.gov

Address letters to:
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Post Office Box 942809, Sacramento, CA 94209-0001