CHICAGO– The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) received a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist entrepreneurs with obtaining government contracts and related certifications.
The award was a part of a $26 million series of grants from the SBA in an effort to create 13 new Women’s Business Centers (WBC) and support existing WBCs across the nation. Through the grant, the WBDC will deliver focused training to Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) on how to work with the federal government. As an existing WBC, this addition of specialized services represents an investment in the WBDC as a high-performing center that is ready to expand capacity.
“Thanks to these vital funds from the SBA, which we deeply appreciate, we are now poised to significantly expand our services and reach more small-business owners,” said Emilia DiMenco, President & CEO of the WBDC. “The support from the SBA enables us to broaden our impact, helping to empower and uplift entrepreneurs and guide them through government contracting processes. The WBDC is excited and grateful to be part of the group of women’s business centers benefiting from these grants.”
The WBDC is among 16 other existing WBCs receiving grants to support expansion and specialization of services. These grants are primarily focused on government contracting, childcare, and expansion into rural communities. This marks the first time the SBA has issued WBCs multiple awards for distinct services. Through this wave of grants, 13 new WBCs will also receive funding to support women entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses.
The WBDC will use the grant funding to aid women business owners virtually as they compete for federal contracts and related certifications and guiding them through the process of working with government entities. This signifies a continued commitment to the WBDC’s core mission of supporting and accelerating business development and growth, targeting women and serving all business owners to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy.
