The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the selection of 17 new Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across ten states.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, we have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men,” says administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “The SBA’s expanding network of Women's Business Centers is meeting these new and established businesses where they are with resources to help them get funding to grow, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the Biden-Harris Administration is proud to double down on its commitment to expanding opportunity and leveling the playing field for women and all those who have been underinvested in for too long.”

The SBA’s WBCs offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics, including business startups, financial management, marketing and procurement. Through the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO), the 17 new WBCs – including 13 hosted by MSIs – will help diverse entrepreneurs pivot, grow, and navigate SBA resources they can use to ensure their businesses thrive.

“Through WBCs, the SBA provides practical help to women working hard to build successful businesses of their own,” says Christina Hale, assistant administrator for the Office of Women's Business Ownership. “Women entrepreneurs are out front leading the way, driving record numbers of small business applications all around the country, and the SBA’s WBCs empower their efforts through training, technical assistance, and access to credit and capital. WBC resources can be game-changing for women just starting or for those scaling up and growing their businesses as well.”

Below is the full list of new WBCs:

California

  • Pasadena Area Community College District (MSI) - Pasadena, CA
  • Vermont-Slauson LDC, Inc. (MSI) - Los Angeles, CA
  • New Economics for Women (MSI) - Los Angeles, CA

Connecticut

Women's Business Development Council - Stamford, CT

Washington, DC

Washington Area Community Investment Fund - Washington, D.C.

Florida

The Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce (MSI) - North Miami, FL

Hawaii

YWCA Oahu (MSI) - Honolulu, HI

Illinois

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (MSI) - Chicago, IL

Women’s Business Development (MSI) - Chicago, IL

Louisiana

Urban League of Louisiana(MSI) - New Orleans, LA

Ohio

Economic and Community Development Institute (MSI) - Columbus, OH

Oregon

Livelihood NW - Portland, OR

South Carolina

Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce (MSI) -Barnwell, SC

Tennessee

Kingsport Chamber Foundation - Kingsport, TN

Texas

Houston Women’s Business Council, Inc. (MSI) - Houston, TX

Virginia

Old Dominion University Research Foundation (MSI) - Norfolk, VA

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (MSI) - Milwaukee, WI