Expressing Support of Small Business Development Centers

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the small business development centers located throughout my district and throughout the country. These development centers are Statewide, nationally accredited programs that provide one-on-one consulting, training, and information resources to empower new and existing small businesses.

They are a public-private partnership between the Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development, and universities and colleges across the Commonwealth.

Clarion University and Penn State both have fantastic small business development centers whose mission is to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge needed to make smart decisions and to see their businesses grow and prosper.

Over the past few months, I have received many letters in support of small business development centers from constituents who have utilized these services to start or maintain a small business of their own.

Lisa from Smethport wrote that, after growing up working in her family's restaurant, it had always been a dream to operate her own restaurant. Through the help of the Clarion University Small Business Development Center, her dream became a reality.

Joseph from Punxsutawney worked with the center to help manage his business's financial records and receive a line of credit. He wrote that the information and advice they provided helped him make critical business decisions with confidence.

And Emily from Franklin recently opened up a charming bed and breakfast after working with the development center staff to write up a business plan and organize the financial aspects of her business. She hopes to continue working with the development center and said she truly feels as though they want her to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, these are just some of the stories I have received, and I thank all of my constituents that took the time to share their stories with me. The success stories of small business owners that work with development centers are endless. They have greatly helped economic progress in my district.

The Clarion University center helped start up 55 new businesses in 2017 and supported more than 500 constituents.

Nationally, small businesses make up 99.7 percent of U.S. employer firms. In 2018, there were more than 30 million small businesses that employed 58 million people.

The development center program, operated through the Small Business Administration, was allocated $130 million for fiscal year 2018. Through the continued funding of small business development centers, paired with the passage of probusiness legislation like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, entrepreneurship can continue to thrive in Pennsylvania and all across this country.

Mr. Speaker, that is something every American can applaud and that we should be proud of.

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