Small Business

EDA: $729,560 Invested to Boost Minority-Owned Business Growth in Mobile, AL

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $729,560 grant to Vivian’s Door, Mobile, Alabama, to provide technical assistance to minority-owned and distressed local businesses. This grant will support the Vivian’s Door Initiative to continue to build the capacity of small business owners, with a focus on marginalized and underserved…

SBA: Expanded Support for Veteran Small Business Owners Announced

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced $3.5 million in grant awards to support outreach organizations focused on veteran small businesses. The grants provide critical funding to create new Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) in Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Carolina, strengthening training and counseling services for aspiring and existing veteran and military…

SBA: 2023 Application for T.H.R.I.V.E. Executive Level Business Training for Entrepreneurs Announced

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the opening of the 2023 application for a redesigned c-suite level training program for small business leaders, formerly known as Emerging Leaders. “T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined initiative will provide up-and-coming small business leaders with tools, knowledge, and access to the best and the brightest minds in economic development and business,” said Associate Administrator of…

SBA: Rules Implemented to Address Persistent Capital Access Gaps

Loan program updates will advance equity for rural, veteran, women, and minority-owned businesses The U.S. Small Business Administration has finalized two rules to address persistent gaps in access to capital impacting small business owners in underserved communities as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to grow the economy from the middle out and bottom-up, not…

SBA: 2023 National Small Business Week Co-Sponsors and Virtual Summit Agenda Announced

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the 2023 National Small Business Week (NSBW) co-sponsors and the schedule for the Virtual Summit, taking place May 2-3, 2023. This year’s NSBW Virtual Summit will feature educational workshops presented by our co-sponsors, provide access to federal resources and offer networking to help our nation’s entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. To register…

SBA: 2023 Phoenix Award Winners for Outstanding Disaster Recovery Efforts Announced

Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced the 2023 Phoenix Award winners. SBA recognizes the Phoenix Award winners every year during National Small Business Week for their inspiring resilience in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters, which climate…

SBA: America’s Women Entrepreneurs Recognized During the SBA Second Annual Women’s Business Summit

In honor of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) held a two-day Women’s Business Summit on March 28-29, 2023, which drew more than 10,000 participants. Attendees heard from President Biden, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the Senate Small Business Committee Chair Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), the House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Rep. Nydia Velazquez…

CDFI Fund: FY 2023 Bank Enterprise Award Program Funding Round Opens

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) opened the fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding round for the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program). Application materials are now available on the BEA Program page of the CDFI Fund’s websitein anticipation of the publication of the FY 2023 Notice of Funds…

CFPB: Final Rule Issued to Create New Data Set on Small Business Lending Under Section 1071 Requirements

Rule will fulfill congressional mandate and shine light on key engine of American economy The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule required by Congress to increase transparency in small business lending, promote economic development, and combat unlawful discrimination. Lenders will collect and report information about the small business credit applications they receive,…

ABA: Statement on CFPB Small Business Data Collection Rule Released

“America’s banks oppose discrimination in any form and support enforcement of fair lending laws and the goals of Section 1071. Banks of all sizes have a long history of lending to creditworthy small businesses across the country, and ABA supports bank efforts to lend to underserved small businesses. “While today’s final rule implementing Section 1071 includes a…