Recently in the SBA Category

President Barak Obama announced a new plan that would reform the way government agancies work for small businesses and announced a move to elevate the position of SBA Administrator to a cabinet-level position. The plan will consolidate the various departments focused on business, commerce and trade to a single, streamlined department.

WIPP strongly supports this effort and released a statement applauding the President's plan.

This reform should help make the government work better for small businesses by consolidating the efforts fo such agencies as the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Commerce Department, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corp. and the Trade and Development Agency into a one-stop shop for business needs.

The plan, which will require Congressional approval, also aims to rpovide a more accessable, more efficient resource for small business owners. SBA Administrator Karen Mills pointed out that the small business arm of this consolidated department would provide a greater range of programs and opportunites for small businesses and assured that small business interests would be at the core of this new department. WIPP has strongly advocated on behalf of its members for reduced regualtions and simplified resources for small business owners and fully supports this major step in that direction.

WIPP also applauds the Presidents' related move to elevate the position of SBA Administrator to a cabinet-level position. WIPP is pleased to see the President's recognition of the vital role that small businesses play in growing jobs and growing the economy and looks forward to seeing the additional progress that the elevation of the SBA can bring to the small business community. With this move, small businesses will have a stronger voice to advocate for change on the policies and issues that affect them. During this time of economic recovery, it is more important than ever that small business has a seat at the policy-making table.

Things are really popping - tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are less than 3 days from Small Business Saturday.   The country has come alive with preparations for Thanksgiving; families and friends are gathering and everywhere you turn there is an air of joy and festivity.  

WIPP members across the country have rallied in support of our small businesses for their strength is our strength.  We know that wherever there are thriving small businesses, you will find a thriving community.  

The Board of Directors of WIPP, and its team in Washington DC and San Francisco wish to thank you for all of your efforts year long.    Your advocacy and passion is demonstrated every single day; your commitment to collaboration and support of one another is outstanding.    You are a role model for our country - for it is only when we rally together that we will experience positive change.   

With best wishes for health and happiness,

Barbara

PS - I thought you might like to see this blog posted on the White House Blog today:

Support Your Local Businesses on "Small Business Saturday"
Posted by Karen Mills at
 
You've heard of Black Friday. And Cyber Monday. But did you know that this Saturday is Small Business Saturday? We're encouraging everyone to visit a small business to do some holiday shopping this Saturday.
As President Obama said in a message out to all Small Business Saturday supporters:

From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation's promise.  These businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, helping spur economic development in communities across our country and giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream.  Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century.

When you walk down Main Street in any city in America, you can often find great restaurants, service providers, and handcrafted, Made-in-America products from local shops. It's wonderful to simply go in and visit with local business owners and hear what's happening in the community.
 
There are many people in my life that appreciate a unique gift from a local business, like the blueberry jam I pick up at the Farmers' Market in my hometown of Brunswick, Maine. This Saturday, I'm planning to go back to that market early in the morning, and then I will travel to Roslindale, Massachusetts, to celebrate Small Business Saturday with Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Many other top-level officials throughout the Administration are also "shopping small" this Saturday.
Everyone knows that your dollar goes a long way at when you buy a product or service from a small business. That money goes right back into the local economy. And that's important, because half of working Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create two out of every three new jobs.
 
It's great to find the perfect gift from a small business. Often, when you carry it to the counter, you can see the business owner's eyes light up. They tell a story about how that gift was made. Or where it came from.  Or how it's a one-of-a-kind.  And the gift immediately becomes even more meaningful and special. Moments like that are what makes the holidays magical.
 
In addition to our support for Small Business Saturday, the SBA is working hard to make sure even more small businesses can keep growing. For example, we had an all-time record for SBA loans this year, with over $30 billion in lending support that helped about 60,000 small businesses buy a new building, get more equipment, or hire more workers. And, right now, the President is calling on Congress to cut in half the payroll taxes for small businesses as part of the American Jobs Act.
 
Let's all do our part to support America's small businesses as they continue to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Small Business Saturday, and Happy Holidays.
 

The SBA Jobs Act Tour is a remarkable occasion to meet with leaders from the SBA and other small business owners. During this event you will have the opportunity to give your input on new regulations and take advantage of new business tools. Representatives from the SBA will be present to explain how your business may acquire an SBA loan, how to compete for federal contracts, tips on finding a mentor, and more!  
 
When the Small Business Jobs Act was signed into law last year, WIPP provided its members with the following summary highlighting the specific provisions benefiting small businesses. To review the WIPP summary on the Jobs Act, click here.

Please click here to visit the SBA Jobs Act Tour webpage and RSVP. Dates and locations for the tour are as follows:
 
Miami - March 28
Columbus - March 28
Atlanta - March 30
New York - March 30
Boston - April 1
San Antonio - April 1
San Diego - April 11
Albuquerque - April 11
Denver - April 13
Seattle - April 13
Chicago - April 15
Huntsville - April 15
Washington, DC - TBD

On Wednesday, March 2nd, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) hosted a luncheon to celebrate a new program launched by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist women owned businesses get their fair share of federal government contracts.  We were celebrating a program that was ten years in the making.  This new program identifies 83 industries in which women owned businesses are underrepresented in federal contracting and allows contracting officers to restrict competition in those industries to women owned businesses.

Interestingly, this celebratory luncheon occurred just one day after the White House report on Women in America found that a wage gap between men and women still exists.  Despite the fact that younger women are now more likely than younger men to have an undergraduate or graduate education, women continue to earn less.  

Promoting entrepreneurship through programs like the federal women's contract program is a perfect example of how to end the wage gap.  Giving women small business owners a level playing field and allowing them to succeed is an example of a solution that works.  To learn more about the new contracting program, go to: http://www.giveme5.com/ and http://www.sba.gov/

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ann Sullivan
WIPP Government Relations
202-626-8528
asullivan@madisonservicesgroup.com

Washington, DC - October 5, 2010 - Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) applauds the release of the final rule which will implement the Women's Procurement Program, enacted into law in the year 2000. When enacted, contracting officers will have the ability to restrict competition to women-owned small businesses if the procurement falls within one of the eighty-three (83) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. 

"For eleven long years, we have anxiously awaited final implementation of the Women's Procurement Program. Thanks to Administrator Karen Mills and her team, the program is finally underway," said Barbara Kasoff, President of WIPP. "WIPP's efforts led the way to ensure that women contractors have the opportunity to receive their fair share of contracting dollars.  We believe that increased federal contracting opportunities will give women business owners a chance at growing their business," added Kasoff.

Since 2008, our Give Me 5 Program (www.GiveMe5.com) has helped increase the number of women-owned businesses registered on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) by over 30%.  The CCR is the government database that was used to determine the number of eligible industries in the new program. Along with advocacy for passage and implementation of the Program, WIPP's educational initiatives have worked to build the pool of women-owned businesses ready to bid on federal contracts.

Important to the program's success is a change made in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 which restored "parity" among all of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) small business contracting programs. The program will be considered equal to any other small business contracting program. This issue is highlighted in WIPP's Economic Blueprint: The Women Business Owners' Platform for Growth, unveiled during the WIPP 2010 Annual Leadership Conference. The Blueprint serves as WIPP's voice regarding challenges unique to small businesses that require action by our elected officials.

To read the final rule, click here.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is a national nonpartisan group with over half-a-million members. WIPP is the collective voice in Washington, D.C., for 51 national women and small business organizations. WIPP advocates for and on behalf of women in business in the legislative process of our nation, creating economic opportunities for members and building alliances with other small business organizations.