Letter to Ms. Karen Mills, Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration
Letter
Dear Administrator:
I am writing this letter to express my concern over recent decisions to change the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) Empower Contracting Program. As you are well aware, this program greatly allows business to hire employees, invest, and economically develop distressed urban and rural communities. That is why the recent decision to decertify Wyoming County from the HUBZone program will be to the detriment of businesses and residents of Western New York.
Companies such as J N White Designs of Perry, New York rely on business with Department of Defense prime contractors for a significant portion of their revenue. These large firms chose to place orders with J N White Designs because it is a domestic manufacturer, and because there is an economic incentive to work with HUBZone certified companies. J N White is a family business that has been in operation since 1960 and employs nearly 80 persons, providing vital work to an economically distressed community. If they were to lose their HUBZone status, a significant portion of their revenue and up to a dozen employees' jobs would be lost.
With the recent downturn of the global economy, American small businesses need to retain as much assistance as is available in order to maintain their competitiveness and retain employees. This need is even more urgent for businesses in communities such as Wyoming County, which rely on jobs from employers such as J N White Designs. This company is one of many that help retain population and build prosperity in Western New York's rural communities.
I understand that population changes and census data compel the Small Business Administraiton to periodically reevaluate the HUBZone Program. However, due to the fragile nature of today's economy, introducing drastic change and uncertainty will likely be to the detriment of employers such as J N White Designs, and the communities that they support. I urge you to reconsider or delay the decertification of Wyoming County. I appreciate your consideration and if you have any questions please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Kathleen C. Hochul
Member of Congress
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