Our Mission

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Mississippi State University (MSU) mission is to create America's next generation of veteran and military spouse small business owners. The VBOC at MSU's focus is to contribute to the success of members of the U.S. military community including transitioning service members, veterans, reservists, national guard members, and military spouses with programs and services to start, grow, and expand their small business. The VBOC at MSU serves veterans and military spouses in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business enterprise.

There are 28 VBOCs around the country (sba.gov/vboc), with the VBOC at MSU established in 2015. The VBOC at MSU serves active duty transitioning service members as well as guard, reserve, veterans of all eras and military spouses in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

On this website you will find a link to sign up for business counseling and information on a variety of training events and how to register for Boots to Business and Boots to Business | Reboot and workshops on topics such as entrepreneurship, financing (Become Lender Ready), Government Contracting, and Social Media. More training and resources can be found at SBA.gov

VBOC map

Notice to PPP and COVID EIDL Borrowers in Default

The U.S. Small Business Administration will begin referring defaulted PPP and COVID EIDL borrowers with loans under $100,000 to the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service for collection beginning March 4, 2024.

What does this mean? 

Small business borrowers who are referred to Treasury and IRS for collection may face significant consequences, including: 

  • Negative impact on credit scores; 
  • Withholding of future state and federal tax refunds and any potential federal government funding (such as social security); and,
  • Referral of your loan to private debt collectors to pursue repayment, who may use tactics like wage garnishment.   

What can borrowers do? 

If you have a PPP loan under $100,000, follow the instructions at www.sba.gov/PPPForgiveness to complete your PPP forgiveness application by March 3, 2024. If your lender is not participating in the SBA direct forgiveness portal, you will need to contact them directly. You can find a list of participating in the SBA direct forgiveness portal here.

If you have a COVID EIDL loan under $100,000, visit Manage your EIDL at SBA.gov.

Need assistance? Contact SBA at 877-552-2692.

This communication is not intended to collect outstanding debts from individuals or entities currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.