As part of his commitment to both job creation and our veterans, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) announced today that he is co-sponsoring legislation to put the growing number of unemployed veterans back to work through better training incentives and enhanced small business opportunities.

 

The Promoting Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009 is designed to create jobs for the more than one million veterans currently out of work, 20 percent of whom are among the youngest veterans.

 

 

Among the key provisions in the legislation include re-authorizing the VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Loan Guaranty Program, which would guarantee loans up to $500,000; creating a new Troops to Teachers program to pay new teachers who are veterans and are teaching in a rural area a $500-a-month stipend; increasing the Veterans Workforce Reinvestment Program authorized level from $9 million to $20 million; creating a two-year paid internship program at VA for up to 2,000 vocational rehabilitation participants; providing a zip code-based housing stipend for unemployed veterans who are participating in a VA-approved OJT/Apprenticeship Program; and requiring VA link to reputable veteran employment websites on their website and nationally advertise the “Vet-success” website created by the Vocation Rehabilitation Program.

 

Luetkemeyer, who serves on the House Small Business Committee, also noted that the legislation would allow the VA to enter into sole source contracts with veteran-owned small businesses in the same way they can with 8(a) firms, putting veteran-owned small business at the same level as other 8(a) small businesses. The bill also would extend the period of 8(a) eligibility for small businesses owned by individuals on active duty.