Idaho’s approximately 120,000 veterans may soon have a dedicated resource hub for entrepreneurship after the U.S. Small Business Administration confirmed it is actively working to establish the state’s first Veteran Business Outreach Center.
The push came after Sen. Jim Risch wrote to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler on June 9, formally requesting that the agency establish an Idaho-based Veteran Business Outreach Center, known as a VBOC. In his letter, Risch cited the roughly 12,000 veteran-owned businesses already operating in Idaho as evidence of the need for in-state support.
What VBOCs Offer
Veteran Business Outreach Centers are SBA-funded programs that deliver hands-on assistance to veterans and active-duty service members looking to start or grow a business. Services include workshops, formal business plan development, entrepreneurship classes, and one-on-one mentorship. Nationally, 31 organizations participate in the SBA’s cooperative agreement to operate these centers.
States like Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona each have their own dedicated VBOCs. Idaho has lacked that same in-state infrastructure — veterans here have historically been routed through a regional center in Washington state and, more recently, through the Montana-based Big Sky Economic Development Authority VBOC.
“Our nation’s service members represent the best of America,” Risch said in his letter to Loeffler. “It is vital we ensure they have full access to the SBA resources designed to translate their military service into entrepreneurship.”
SBA Responds With Commitment
An SBA spokesperson confirmed the agency is moving forward, saying the SBA “looks forward to expanding our existing field presence in the state to deliver targeted resources to support Idaho’s 120,000 veterans.”
The confirmation signals meaningful progress for a state where veteran-owned small businesses make up a notable share of the broader economy. North Idaho communities including Sandpoint and the surrounding Bonner County region are home to a significant veteran population, and local entrepreneurs would stand to benefit directly from in-state VBOC programming rather than relying on out-of-state centers.
The effort also fits into a broader pattern of economic development momentum in Idaho. A Coeur d’Alene-based investment platform recently earned the top national ranking for growth among U.S. TAMPs, reflecting the region’s expanding financial and entrepreneurial footprint.
What Comes Next
No timeline has been publicly announced for when a permanent Idaho VBOC would open its doors or which organization would operate it under an SBA cooperative agreement. The agency’s confirmation that it is “actively working” on the matter suggests the selection and contracting process is already underway. Sen. Risch’s office has not indicated whether additional legislative action would be required to fund or accelerate the effort.
Veterans and service members in Idaho interested in small business resources can currently access support through the Montana-based Big Sky VBOC while the permanent Idaho center is established. For broader Idaho business and economic news, visit Idaho News.