SBA launches new Web site to aid women entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs have another resource to help them start and grow their businesses.

The U.S. Small Business Administration this week launched "My Biz for Women" at www.sba.gov/women. The Web site was designed to provide a single access point to information about:

• Starting and growing a small business.

• Gaining access to capital and contracting opportunities and links to other government agencies and SBA resource partners offering business counseling.

• State-by-state listings of SBA's Women's Business Centers and other resource information.

• Tips from experts, business owners and other "guest columnists" in a free monthly newsletter, "Women's Perspectives."

"Women in the United States are starting businesses rapidly," said SBA spokeswoman Kathryn Ballenger. "They are impacting the economy and job creation like never before, and we felt we needed a Web site tailored specifically to their needs."

Stan Nakano, the SBA's Utah District director, said he hoped the Web site will help women entrepreneurs know what resources are available, and help them to more easily navigate the process of starting or growing a business.

"Whether they're starting a business, or expanding a business, or whether they need access to capital or are trying to secure government contracts, hopefully (My Biz for Women) can help link them, certainly, to our local Women's Business Center, and other resources where they can get help," Nakano said.

The SBA's Utah office granted 327 loans to women business owners in fiscal year 2005, for a total of $43.4 million, Nakano said, which was a 20 percent increase over fiscal 2004.

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