Vboc 2025-2026 economic and community development institute

The Office of VA Business Development awarded $340,000 to the Economic and Community Development Institute, Inc. (ECDI) under the Veterans Outreach Program (CFDA 59.044) for the period May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. ECDI will deliver comprehensive entrepreneurship training and business development services to military-connected individuals, including veterans, service-disabled veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. The award supports ECDI's efforts to facilitate small business ownership through instruction of the Small Business Administration's "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" curriculum, business counseling, technical assistance, and connections to mentoring and microloan resources.

As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Columbus, Ohio, ECDI brings demonstrated capacity in serving underserved populations through federally funded initiatives. The organization's established track record includes substantial SBA funding for microloans, women's business ownership assistance, and microenterprise programs, positioning it to effectively deploy these grant funds toward supporting military-connected entrepreneurs in business creation and growth initiatives.