How The SBA Helped This Black-Owned Media Company Get Started

Among the largest African-American owned and operated media corporations in the United States, Radio One was started by Catherine L. Hughes in 1980. Key to her sucessful start was a SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loan for $600,000 in 1980.

Radio One owns and/or operates 53 radio stations located in 16 urban markets in the United States. Radio One received investments totaling $9.5 million from SBA-licensed SBICs in the late 1990s.

Many of the SBA programs offering Small Business Grants, Loan Programs and Counseling Programs for women are offered through state agencies.

Introduction to the Small Business Administration

If you're looking for a way to help your business grow, now would be a good time to understand how the government can help you with your small business needs.

Small Business Administration HUBZone Program

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones Empowerment Contracting Program provides federal contracting assistance to eligible small businesses located in underutilized business zones to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area's economic development.

SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans

Disaster loans can be utilized for the repair and rebuilding of non-farm, private sector disaster losses, and are available to all types of business, instead of being restricted to small businesses alone.

SBA Loans Explained

This short video describes the most popular Small Business Administration loan program, the 7(a) loan.

HUBZone Certification Program Webinar

This video explains the basics of the HUBZone certification program for small business federal contractors.

HUBZone certification allows certain small businesses to compete for set-aside contracts aimed at spurring investment in low median income or high unemployment areas.

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Webinar

This video explains how the SBA's 8(a) Program works, its eligibility requirements, technical assistance available to small disadvantaged businesses through the program and common myths about the program.

Local Assistance from the Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration has many local offices and resource partners that counsel, mentor and train small business owners and entrepreneurs.

These nearby offices and online assistance can help your business start up, succeed and grow. This short video provides a good introduction to services near you.

Small Business Administration Resources for Veterans

The Small Business Administration offers various resources for veterans interested in starting, financing or growing their businesses.

SCORE Services to Small Business - An Introduction

In an excerpt from a 2010 interview the SCORE CEO discusses its counseling and workshops offerings to small businesses.

The Creative Role That One CDFI Plays in Impact Investing

Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO of the Community Development Financial Institution Nonprofit Finance Fund, manages $80 million of impact investments. He is also the author of Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference.

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Featured Government Grant Resources

Small Business Grants - Free or Low Cost Consulting for Your Small Business

Did you know that it is possible for you to receive free or low cost consulting for your small business? If it sounds too good to be true, rest assured it is actually possible. Not only does it make sense economically, but you would be receiving advice from professionals who have extensive business experience.

Business Grants for Women

Many women in business find that in order to meet their business' financial needs, they turn to searching out a loan source. Business loans for women are widely available through the Small Business A...

More Small Business Resources