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HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. - The Harford County Veterans Business Outreach Center had its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and meet-and-greet on April 19.
VBOC is a one-stop shop for veterans aspiring to open their own businesses. The new program center, located on Route 40, Pulaski Highway, in Havre de Grace, can assist active-duty personnel, veterans service members transitioning out of the military, reservists and military spouses with business training, counseling and mentoring to become entrepreneurs.
Bonnie Barresi, business development associate for VBOC, said that the center will provide planning assistance as well as resources for funding.
“Our veterans have skills that other people don’t,” Barresi said. “If they choose to transition into business ownership, then [we can] make the transition easier.”
VBOC will offer transition assistance programs like “Boots to Business” and “Boots to Business: Reboot,” which are part of the Dept. of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program.
“[The assistance programs] assist veterans and their spouses with not only starting a business, but expanding it,” Barresi said.
Lisa Krysiak, business media specialist for VBOC, said that while VBOC is a nationwide program, the mid-Atlantic chapter in Harford County will primarily serve local veterans.
APG Garrison Commander Col. Johnny Casiano and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Drewit attended the ceremony and helped cut the ceremonial ribbon.
“Whether you spent two years, 22 years, or 32 years in service, at some point you start to think about the next step,” Casiano said. “[VBOC] really helps facilitate that transition and helps you feel good about your decisions.”
VBOC focuses on connecting to the locality. Veteran and small-business hopeful Dorothea Haupt said her main goal in starting her business was to “give back to the community.”
“I’m old school,” Haupt said. “I want to open a bowling center so everyone can take part in community events.”
Harford County Executive Barry Glassman attended the event and was “pleased to bring a new resource” to the county.
“These men and women have made great sacrifices to serve their country,” he said. “Today, VBOC can respond and show support.”
Karen Holt, deputy director of the Office of Community and Economic Development in Harford County, called the launch a “big celebration.” She said VBOC is an “additional service” to Harford County that she’s “glad to introduce.”
VBOC is meant to serve as an access point for a broad network of resources for veterans. Ryan Del Gallo, a VBOC counselor and consultant, said he wants to help “pave the pathway” for veterans and their families to achieve their goals.
“We want to connect people to the right services at the right time,” Del Gallo said. “Together we can support our community.”
The best way to help veterans hoping to start or expand their business is to “get the word out” about VBOC, said Holt.
“There is so much available here and people don’t know about us yet, so help our veterans out,” Holt said.
For more photos, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagapg/albums/72177720298508094
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