[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2022

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6445--the 
Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2022, which 
reauthorizes the Small Business Development Center Program through 
FY2025 and amends the Small Business Act to require an annual report on 
entrepreneurial development programs.
  H.R. 6445 will authorize the appropriation of $175 million for each 
of fiscal years 2022 through 2025 for the Small Business Development 
Center (SBDC) program. The program awards grants to centers that 
counsel and train current and prospective small-business owners.
  The Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act would help 
strengthen the SBDC network and allow the center to do more to build 
awareness of their programs and services.
  More specifically, H.R. 6445 will prohibit entities other than 
institutions of higher education from receiving new grants under the 
program; allow centers to collect fees related to private partnerships 
or co-sponsorships; authorize centers to market their services directly 
to small businesses; and modify or establish provisions related to 
program funding, operations, data collection, and reporting.
  According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Business Dynamics Statistics, 
about 97 percent of businesses in the greater Houston area are 
considered small businesses.
  Companies that employ less than 500 people collectively employ 44 
percent of Houston's workforce, or 1.2 million people.
  Eighty-two percent of businesses operating in the Houston area have 
fewer than 20 employees. Together, these businesses employ just under 
400,000 workers, or about 14 percent of the regional workforce.
  According to a study done by Self Financial, a personal finance 
service, there are nearly 170,000 minority-owned startups in the U.S., 
employing over 700,000 people and generating close to $100 billion in 
annual revenue.
  The study states that Houston ranks fifth in the Nation for minority 
entrepreneurship.
  Nearly 35 percent of Houston-area small businesses employing 50 or 
fewer people are minority-owned.
  And based on demographic trends, these numbers are likely to grow as 
the population continues to diversify on racial and ethnic lines.
  As a senior Member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland 
Security, and Budget, I have and continue to advocate and fight for 
funding for the self-employed, independent contractors, sole 
proprietors, and small businesses.
  In the early stages of the pandemic, I introduced H.R. 6292, the 
COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grants Act, to help struggling 
farmers, ranchers, and small businesses that suffered an economic loss 
due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  Specifically, this legislation would have established a $1 billion 
fund to provide direct relief to eligible parties who were experiencing 
financial losses due to the coronavirus.
  The bill supported the American people by preserving the economic 
viability of small businesses that have been devastated by the COVID-19 
Pandemic.
  Entrepreneurship is the backbone of American commerce, especially 
small businesses that are significant drivers of economic growth and 
job creation in the U.S.
  Small businesses provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, jobs for 
neighbors and gathering places for communities. They're rooted in the 
landscape where they grow, and foster local economies, keeping money 
close to home.
  Small Business Development Centers are an essential resource for 
small business owners, especially those who have been historically 
disadvantaged. SBDC's provide them with business advising, access to 
training, tools, and resources to help small businesses start, grow, 
expand, and succeed.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6445 the Small 
Business Development Centers Improvement Act because we must support 
our country's small businesses to ensure that our economy is 
prosperous.

                          ____________________