HUD Supports Veterans "Services for Those Who Have Served" in East Tennessee

As more than 150 veterans from across East Tennessee gathered at the Millennium Centre in Johnson City, Tennessee on Friday March 23, 2012 to learn about the latest "Services for Those Who Have Served" one could only think about their sacrifice and self-service to our nation and how organizers could join together to support them.

Audience at HUD presentation

The "Services for Those Who Have Served" effort to support veterans was hosted by East Tennessee State University's College of Business and Technology and U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-1st (http://roe.house.gov/).

"Through HUD and HUD's partners, there are many housing and job opportunities for military veterans. By attending this outstanding workshop, veterans and their families will learn more about these opportunities," said Ed Ellis, HUD Knoxville Office Director.

Representatives from several federal agencies to include HUD and higher education were on site to provide much needed information n about specific programs designed to help them receive much need assistance and work towards achieving self reliance.

Additionally there were opportunities for veterans to learn more about education, housing, small business loans and federal government contracting. The event featured presentations and question and answer sessions by East Tennessee State University's (www.etsu.edu/etsuhome/default.aspx) College of Business & Technology, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA - www.sba.gov/), Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC - www.tsbdc.org/), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA - www.va.gov/).

Congressman Phil Roe, who works tirelessly in support of veterans, participated along with representatives from Senator Bob Corker (www.corker.senate.gov/public/) and Senator Lamar Alexander's (www.alexander.senate.gov/public/) offices were also in attendance.

HUD presented information and questions and answers as part of a panel which included Ed Ellis, Knoxville Office Director, Mary Wilson, CPD Director, Kim Cox, Multifamily Director, and Bob Bright, Single Family Program Specialist. The HUD panel emphasized how HUD dollars are distributed in the community through our partners, and how many services, programs, jobs, and opportunities are available to residents and individuals because of HUD funding.

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