Kagen Is Helping Small Business Create Jobs
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KAGEN IS HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES CREATE JOBS |
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May 20, 2009 |
| Washington, DC — Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is creating opportunity for small businesses. Kagen voted for the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act which modernizes the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) entrepreneurial development programs so that small businesses can expand and create new jobs during these difficult times.
“I am working hard to help small businesses grow our economy,” said Kagen. “Small businesses are the economic engines of America and I encourage them to take advantage of the many programs out there to help them secure capital and create jobs.” Small businesses provide nearly 80% of new jobs and generate 50% of our nation’s gross domestic product. This critical legislation will spur job creation and economic growth by providing small businesses with new tools and resources to reflect their changing needs. It also includes provisions to help women and minorities start new businesses and grant programs to assist new small businesses with green and sustainable energy practices. The bill creates a grant program specifically designed for Small Business Development Centers to assist small firms in securing capital such as the new small business lending generated under the Recovery Act. The Recovery Act contains numerous provisions to generate new small business lending, such as increasing from 85% to 90% the maximum amount of an SBA-backed loan that the government guarantees. Hundreds of small business owners in Northeast Wisconsin have attended Small Business Resource Events hosted by Congressman Kagen with representatives from the Small Business Administration, local chambers of commerce, American National Bank, The Venture Center, Associated Bank, The Business Bank, and the Small Business Development Center. The bill also establishes a Veterans Business Center Program which authorizes $22 million for the SBA to expand entrepreneurial assistance to veterans by increasing outreach facilities across the country and establishing specialized assistance programs. “We must make certain that those who sacrifice for our nation have a chance to participate in the opportunities they fought so hard to protect,” Kagen said. Also today, Kagen again voted for the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights to protect working families from predatory credit card companies. The House passed the Senate’s version of this legislation which contains a provision allowing individuals possessing a gun into any national park or national wildlife refuge if state law already allows it. |
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