SCORE was first established in 1964 as a national, volunteer nonprofit organization, whose mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. Over the years, it has grown to one of the largest networks of volunteers, with more than 11,000 expert business advisors at 350 chapters nationwide. SCORE provides free or low-cost mentoring and training to small busine... Read more »
Every year more than 200,000 of our nation’s heroes make the transition out of our military. Some pursue employment opportunities, others go back to school, or learn a new trade. And some decide to pursue the American dream and launch a small, innovative business. For these returning servicemembers, the Small Business Administration can play a key role to help turn their small business dreams into... Read more »
When I talk to small business owners, one of the first things they mention to me is that access to capital is the lifeblood of their business. Affordable capital fuels new startups and helps existing businesses expand into new markets and grow their customer bases. And we know that when capital is accessible and on fair terms, small businesses can do what they do best---strengthen our communities ... Read more »
Reliable and affordable high-speed broadband connections are a vital aspect of doing business in our day and age. Sadly, at least 25 million Americans still lack access to high-speed Internet—many of which live in remote parts of our country. We all realize it is more difficult and expensive to build out broadband networks in these areas but that’s no excuse to leave them behind. To do so results ... Read more »
One of the most important goals of this Subcommittee is to assure that small businesses are equipped with the tools they need to grow, create new jobs, and generate wealth in their communities. No matter where a business decides to set up shop, whether it’s in the middle of a large metropolis, or on main street in a rural town, every business needs a plan. From determining a location, to finding w... Read more »
Today we are here to draw what I believe is needed attention to an industry that is rapidly evolving. As more and more states take steps to bring cannabis to commerce, we are seeing small businesses at the forefront of this expanding industry. As the only House Committee dedicated solely to the needs of small firms, it is important for us to be shedding light on the challenges these small entities... Read more »
Today, over 40 million Americans are burdened by student loans, and as a nation, mounting student debt now stands at nearly $1.5 trillion. Over the past 30 years, the cost of higher education at public four-year institutions has skyrocketed, increasing by 213 percent from 1988. So, as we begin this hearing—let us acknowledge that this is nothing short of a national crisis.Back home in New York, I’... Read more »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement after the Labor Department released its May jobs statement, in which 75,000 jobs were added to the economy, well below average: “As today’s drastically underperforming jobs report warns, the economic uncertainty fueled by this Administration’s erratic policies and rhetoric is... Read more »
Since the recession ended in 2009, our economy has experienced over a decade of economic expansion, and despite a low unemployment rate we know that challenges remain. Small employers are having an increasingly hard time finding skilled and qualified workers. In fact, for over a year, more jobs have been available in the economy than people actively seeking them out. Two factors seem to be driving... Read more »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement in honor of June as LGBTQ Pride Month. “In communities across this country, LGBTQ Americans are our neighbors, friends, family, and proud small business owners. They enrich our Main Streets, fuel our economy, and defy the limits of innovation. This Pride Month, it’s clear tha... Read more »
