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SBA head Linda McMahon visits veteran-owned small business in San Diego

Posted at 12:47 PM, Jun 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-20 15:50:14-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Linda McMahon, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, toured a manufacturing facility in Barrio Logan, as part of her Ignite Tour of businesses around the country.

McMahon walked through VetPowered, a veteran-owned small business that made use of SBA programs to expand. The business provides manufacturing, welding, and fabrication services and employs mainly veterans and active servicemembers.

"I have now been to 39 states. I have visited with 7,000 small business owners. I've seen a lot. This is the most impressive I've been in," McMahon said Wednesday. "Not only is it well thought out. It is run like military precision. It gets things done. Innovative ... and I want to make sure that we can help this grow. "

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VetPowered was founded by Hernán Luis y Prado in 2009 to help employ qualified service members bring their manufacturing know-how to the manufacturing industry.

Part of the businesses aim is to also prepare veterans and service members for work through the Workshops for Warriors program, which helps veterans transition into advanced manufacturing careers.

"This couldn't be any better for a role model for how things could get done for small business and for the country," McMahon said.

The business has also been recognized by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for its work with veterans and community service.