US Small Business Administration Strategic Alliance with CompTIA to Benefit Small Companies; Agreement to Increase Participation in and Communication of SBA Programs

Business Wire, Jan 12, 2005

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- The US Small Business Administration (SBA) and CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, today announced a new strategic alliance to assist CompTIA member small businesses with capital access, training, management, procurement, business development and international trade opportunities.

Specifically, the new alliance will offer informational forums to provide increased participation of CompTIA small business members in SBA lending programs; increased awareness of services such as those available through SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women's Business Centers (WBCs) and Veteran's Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs); training and technical assistance; increased participation in procurement programs and contract opportunities; and promote the sharing of information to increase trade opportunities for CompTIA small business members, women-owned small businesses and veteran-owned businesses.

"SBA is very pleased to be entering into this agreement with CompTIA," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "Many of the firms included in the information technology industry are small businesses. By working with CompTIA we will be able to make more small businesses aware of the loan products, training and procurement opportunities available through the SBA. I look forward to building a healthy working relationship."

"A large percentage of CompTIA's 20,000 member base consists of small to medium-sized businesses," said John Venator, president and CEO, CompTIA. This new alliance gives us a tremendous opportunity to further benefit this vitally important business sector of our membership in the IT and related industries," he said.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is a global trade association representing the business interests of the information technology industry. For more than 22 years CompTIA has provided research, networking and partnering opportunities to its 20,000 members in 102 countries. The association is involved in developing standards and best practices, and influencing the political, economic and educational arenas that impact IT worldwide. More information is at www.comptia.org.

About SBA

The mission of the SBA is to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small businesses by providing them financial, contractual and business development assistance, and advocating on their behalf within the government. SBA administers its programs through district offices nationwide, and through resource partners including SCORE, SBDCs, WBCs, and VBOCs. SBA provides additional services through government contracting area offices and through U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs). For more information, please visit www.sba.gov.