WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a virtual “Military Spouse Entrepreneur Summit” in collaboration with Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes on Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 1-3:30 p.m., EDT.

This free event will connect military spouses with resources and information available to help them start or grow a small business.

The event will open with remarks from the Second Lady and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. Panel speakers will include representatives from the Veteran Entrepreneurial Training & Resource Network, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Dog Tag, The Rosie Network, the Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Program, and the Military Family Advisory Network.

“The SBA is committed to helping entrepreneurial military spouses succeed at every stage of small business development,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Second Lady to support military spouse entrepreneurs and help them overcome the unique business challenges they face.”

Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about SBA and partner resources for the military small business community. Panel discussions will cover entrepreneurship tips, access to capital, government contracting and disaster preparedness.

“There are over 7,000 active duty military personnel located here on military bases in New Jersey, like Fort Dix, Maguire Air Force Base, the Naval Air Engineering Station in Lakehurst, the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck and the Loran Support Unit Coast Guard Base in Wildwood with another 17,000 reservists, many of whom have spouses,” said SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone.

“Nationwide, there are more than a million military spouses – 700,000 married to someone on active duty and 400,000 on reserve. That is a lot of untapped potential and we want to make sure that we are doing our part at the SBA to support New Jersey military spouses who choose entrepreneurship as a career path. The upcoming virtual event is a great opportunity for military spouses to tap into information and resources that can help them launch or grow a successful business,” he added.

For more information about the Military Spouse Entrepreneur Summit and to register, visit https://events.hiringourheroes.org/d/37ql80. To join the conversation on social media, use the hashtag #SBAMilSpouseSummit.