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The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn’t always get that much coverage in the mainstream press, which is somewhat surprising given the fact that most of America’s economy depends on the small business sector.

Indeed, according to a 2005 press release, the SBA claims that America’s small businesses provide employment for more than half of the nation’s private-sector workforce. “Small business drives the American economy,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy, as quoted by the press release. “Main Street provides the jobs and spurs our economic growth.”

Therefore, the SBA’s role is, according to its website, “to maintain and strengthen the nation’s economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.” The agency has been active since 1953.

So today we provide a news round-up as a means of keeping track of what’s going on in the SBA, and what the agency is doing that may be of interest to you and your business.

Story #1: “SBA Helps Small Business Owners Win Federal Contracts With New Web-based Course” (Press release from the SBA, available at PR Newswire.)

This press release announces the launch of the SBA’s latest free online tutorial. “Business Opportunities: A Guide to Winning Federal Contracts” is aimed at women entrepreneurs and small firms in “underserved markets that have historically had difficulty in tapping into federal
contract markets,” but can be beneficial to all small businesses, according to the release. It aims to provide information about how to contract with and sell to the government. The course is one of “more than 24 online tutorials offered by the SBA.”

Story #2: Disaster Relief.

In response to recent damaging storms in the American south, the SBA has been actively issuing statements to let citizens of that region know if, why, and when they’re eligible for federal assistance. For more details see:
“SBA Approves Over $3 Million for Disaster Victims in Kentucky” from the Earth Times;
“Help Available to Tennessee Small Businesses With SBA Disaster Business Loan Applications” from the Sun-Herald; and
“SBAs Deadline to Apply for Physical Damage Disaster Loans is March 31” from BlackEnterprise.com.

Story #3: “SBA: Startup rates alike in cities, suburbs” (Article from Business First of Buffalo, available online.)

“The rate of business formation is nearly as large in rural areas as it is in cities and suburbs,” according to an SBA statement that studied business data in every county in the United States. “‘Entrepreneurs are found in every setting,’ said study co-author Larry Plummer, an assistant professor at Clemson University. ‘The lesson learned here is that rural America’s resilience should not be underestimated.’”

Story #4: “Congressman gains role in decisions on SBA” (Article from the Tampa Bay Business Journal, available online.)

Why should you care about which members of Congress are involved in administering the SBA? Look at it this way: If you agree with a certain politician’s ideology, then it’s probably a good thing that they’re in a position to help America’s small businesses. On the other hand, if you find a certain politician’s ideas to be unsound, then the last place you’d want them to be is in a leadership position at the SBA.

With this in mind, it was announced yesterday that Florida Republican Vern Buchanan was appointed “ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Finance and Tax within the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee.” This is a subcommittee that has “jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration’s lending and investment programs, including the section 7(a) loan program, 504 certified development company program, small business investment company program, disaster loan assistance programs, and general access to capital and finance issues.”

“As the ranking Republican on the Small Business Committee’s Finance and Tax Subcommittee, I will have greater influence over legislation affecting Florida’s small businesses and their workers,” the story quoted Mr. Buchanan as saying.

Stay Informed!

Some of these stories may apply to your business; some may not. But it’s always a good idea to stay on top of what the SBA is up to so you don’t accidentally miss out on some of the benefits that might be available. After all, it’s all funded by your tax dollars, and it’s there to stimulate the economy by helping small businesses like yours.

So, keep on top of what’s happening by bookmarking the SBA’s website, and remember to check in regularly with the Aplus.Net Blog for periodic updates. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!