Veteran business owners and military members from San Diego to Santa Barbara will now have access to more of the services they need to transition back into civilian life right here in Carlsbad.

It’s all made possible with a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) – the first of its kind in SoCal – is scheduled to open its doors on July 5 at  MiraCosta’s Technology Career Institute located at 2075 Las Palmas Drive. The center will serve veterans and their spouses in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Veterans can get help to get certified to bid on government contracts; receive counseling and one-on-one assistance in developing business plans, get financial forecasts and marketing plans; and get small business loans.

The center’s hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday with evening appointments available by request.

 The VBOC will coordinate and facilitate Boots 2 Business programs. The two-day training program explains and encourages formation of small businesses.  A longer, more detailed, online training program is offered at Syracuse University for those interested in becoming an entrepreneur.

 All services offered at VBOC are free. For more information, call the center at (760) 795-8739.