February 11, 2022

Duckworth Highlights How Her Bipartisan Law is Helping Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Grow & Create Jobs in Visit to Federal Surplus Property Warehouse

 

[SPRINGFIELD, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois Central Management Services Federal Property Division leadership and Veteran small business owners to discuss how her bipartisan Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act is helping Veteran entrepreneurs grow their small businesses, create local jobs and expand economic opportunity while minimizing costs for the business owners. In her visit to the Illinois Federal Surplus Warehouse, Duckworth discussed the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Federal Surplus program, which allows Veteran small business owners to acquire equipment and property that the federal government no longer has a use for at little to no cost and was launched as a result of her legislation. Photos from today’s event are available here and b-roll is available here.

“I’m so proud to see the results of my Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act at work right here in Illinois,” Duckworth said. “This program is doing exactly was it was designed to—connecting Veterans small business owners with surplus federal property to help their businesses thrive, expand and create good-paying, local jobs. Illinois’s pilot program is already a success, and I look forward to more Veterans utilizing these benefits in the months and years to come. Our Veterans deserve our full support as they transition back into civilian life, and that includes supporting their efforts to build and manage a small business.”

“The skills and experience our Veterans gained while bravely serving our country make them uniquely positioned to be able to start and run successful businesses,” said Janel L. Forde, Director for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). “The administration of this economic development program underscores our commitment to ensuring that veterans thrive in their respective fields and continue to enrich our communities and strengthen our State.”

Duckworth’s Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, which was signed into law in 2019, allows Veteran small business owners to acquire equipment and personal property that the federal government no longer has a use for by adding Veterans to the list of eligible recipients for federal surplus personal property. The General Services Administration (GSA) has overseen distribution of federal surplus personal property for 15 years in partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and State Agencies for Surplus Property (SASP) through the Federal Surplus Property Donation Program. When there is no federal need for excess personal property, SASPs disburse the property to eligible recipients who otherwise may have been unable to acquire it.

Through the Veteran Owned Small Business Federal Surplus pilot program in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services has helped Veteran small business owners acquire more than $200,000 worth of GSA property. Veteran small business owners in Illinois can learn more about this program here.

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