This content was published: September 9, 2010. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Federal officials discuss veterans, small business opportunities at PCC
Photos and Story by Dana Haynes
Portland Community College played host to three federal officials this week: Congressman David Wu (from left); Karen Mills, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration; and Congressman Kurt Schrader.
PCC’s CLIMB Center served as the host for a roundtable discussion this week regarding ways that the U.S. Small Business Administration can better serve military veterans.
On hand for Tuesday’s meeting was the administrator of the Small Business Administration, Karen Mills. Also present were two of Oregon’s five delegates to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressmen Kurt Schrader of the 5th District and David Wu of the 1st District.
They were in Portland, in part, to discuss a $100,000 grant – one of only 10 awarded nationwide – to help veterans access information from the Small Business Administration and to help them launch new businesses as entrepreneurs. The program is being organized by Thomas Jones, an instructor at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City.
“We don’t want to have specific programs for veterans,” Mills said. “We want to adapt all of our programs so they fit all veterans, especially disabled veterans.”
She said President Obama has requested that she and Erik Shinseki, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, create a task force to address these issues.
Most Oregon community colleges, including PCC and Clackamas, have seen an upsurge in veterans enrolling for classes since the creation of a new GI Bill last year.
About Dana Haynes
Dana Haynes, joined PCC in 2007 as the manager of the Office of Public Affairs, directing the college's media and government relations. Haynes spent the previous 20 years as a reporter, columnist and editor for Oregon newspapers, including ... more »