This measure would strengthen SCORE business mentoring programs and require the association and SBA to jointly develop virtual, remote programming. It carries forward NWBC’s 2022 recommendation that SCORE bolster its online services. The Senate Committee held a hearing on the bill in November 2023.
This bill would require SBA to make grants to support and enhance entrepreneurship and business ownership programs at minority-serving institutions of higher education, and establish a Minority Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. NWBC called for its enactment in 2021. The bill was reintroduced in the House in November 2023.
This legislation would require the SBA Administrator to promote entrepreneurship training in after-school programs; NWBC recommended its enactment in 2023. Members reintroduced the bill in the House in October 2023.
This bill would require the SBA Administrator to develop a program to help small businesses create succession plans and achieve other sustainability goals; in 2021, NWBC recommended its enactment. The bill was reintroduced in the House in October 2023.
This appropriations bill includes an expression of concern regarding the backlog of applications for WOSB certification, and accompanying report language urges SBA to ensure that requests are processing expeditiously. The language is consistent with NWBC’s 2021 recommendation to SBA to improve the turnaround time for obtaining a WOSB/EDWOSB certification; and its 2022 recommendation to SBA to streamline and reduce wait times on WOSB certification. The House Committee reported this bill for full consideration in June 2024.
This measure would obligate SBA to report on the activities of the Office of Rural Affairs and promote availability of financial assistance for small businesses in rural areas. It carries out NWBC’s 2022 recommendation to the White House to continue collaborative work with USDA on funding for rural businesses. In February 2024, the House enacted this bill.
This bill would relax federal regulations of new financial institutions serving rural communities, making more resources available to small lenders in underserved places. It is consistent with NWBC’s 2023 recommendation to increase resources and funding for organizations offering small-dollar grants. The House Committee voted favorably on this bill in May 2024.
This bill would increase the maximum annual grant amount to each WBC and relax administrative burdens on grantees; it carries out NWBC’s 2023 recommendation that Congress and SBA strengthen and modernize the WBC program by significantly increasing funding and streamlining reporting. The Senate Committee held a hearing on the bill in November 2023.
This proposal would require the SBA Administrator to designate a point of contact for for-profit childcare providers and submit a report to Congress. It is consistent with NWBC’s 2022 recommendation to expand entrepreneurial development resources for childcare businesses. The House Committee reported this legislation out in February 2024.