Notice Inviting Applications for Funding Under the Business-to-Business Learning, Investment, Networking and Collaboration (BusinessLINC) Program

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The Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) invites applications for awards for fiscal year 2001 under a grant competition supported by Sec. 102 of Public Law No. 106-554, BusinessLINC Grants and Cooperative Agreements ("BusinessLINC"). The statute authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with qualified coalitions of public and private entities to promote the growth of small businesses by matching large concerns with small concerns and creating business-to-business partnering and mentoring relationships. These BusinessLINC cooperative agreements would provide funding to qualified coalitions to: (1) Expand business- to-business relationships between large and small businesses, and (2) provide businesses with online information and a database of companies that are interested in mentor-protege programs or community-based, statewide, or local business development programs. Coalitions may consist of public entities, private entities, or a combination of public and private entities. To qualify, the coalition must provide an amount, either in-kind or in cash, equal to the grant amount. Subject to funding availability, SBA intends to award up