Washington, D.C. – At the request of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the establishment of the Idaho Women’s Business Center (WBC), a business development organization that will provide resources, education, and services to entrepreneurs and female small business owners across the state of Idaho. Sen. Risch has been working with the SBA and stakeholders in the state to bring a WBC back to Idaho since he served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship from 2017-2018.

The Idaho WBC will be hosted by the Idaho Hispanic Foundation, under the direction of Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and will open two locations in the Treasure Valley and the Magic Valley. The University of Idaho will serve as a co-partner to the Idaho WBC.

“Women entrepreneurs are key to the success of our state, driving much of the extraordinary economic growth Idaho has experienced over the last decade, and the Idaho Women’s Business Center will equip female business leaders in the Gem State with the tools they need to start and grow their businesses,” Risch said. “I’m proud to have worked alongside the Idaho Hispanic Foundation and the University of Idaho to make the Idaho WBC a reality, and am confident that our vision for a collaborative center that serves women all across our state will be an inspiration to centers across the country.”

“The mission of the Idaho WBC is to serve all women, cultures and communities in achieving their educational, professional and entrepreneurial goals,” said Diane Bevan, President and CEO of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This is an exciting time to be part of such an important work as Idaho continues to thrive, and we thank Senator Risch for all his work to bring a center to Idaho to serve women entrepreneurs in the Treasure and Magic Valleys.”

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