SBA Recognizes SCORE 50th Anniversary During National Small Business Week

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to recognize SCORE for its 50^th anniversary in providing volunteer counseling and mentoring to our nation's entrepreneurs.

SCORE, SBA's valued resource partner, has served more than 10 million entrepreneurs since 1964, providing mentoring, counseling and coaching sessions for entrepreneurs and small business owners in its 50 year history.  SCORE has a network of 320 chapter locations and 11,000 volunteer mentors dispersed throughout the country.

"Congratulations to SCORE for 50 years of success and service to our nation's small business community," said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.  "Thanks to SCORE, the small business community is able to reach so many entrepreneurs and small business owners to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.  Working together, SCORE, our other resource partners, and SBA are able to reach so many small businesses and help foster an environment where the spirit of entrepreneurship thrives."

SCORE volunteers are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners, and their services are offered at no cost.  The celebration of SCORE's 50th anniversary will continue throughout 2014, with a special focus on the 6th Annual SCORE Awards on August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey reflected on the organization's 50th anniversary, saying "This milestone is about so much more than half a century of existence; it is about the work of hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have donated their time, energy and knowledge and about the more than 10 million small business owners who used those resources to enhance the American economy and their local communities. We are honored to be a part of these stories and these accomplishments and look forward to serving 10 million more."

Since its inception, SCORE's services have evolved in their methods for aiding entrepreneurs to include email mentoring and an extensive offering of online resources and educational workshops.  SCORE mentors share their experience and expertise with aspiring and current entrepreneurs in every stage of the business life cycle, from formation to planning for sale or exit.

Contacts: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: 14-26
Internet Address: www.sba.gov/news
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SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration