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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS SMALL BUSINESS ACT
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HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN
of the northern mariana islands
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Northern Mariana
Islands Small Business Act, which would ensure small businesses in my
district have access to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small
Business Development Center (SBDC) Lead Center grant program, the
Federal and State Technology (FAST) partnership grant program and the
Microloan program. The Marianas are the only U.S. jurisdiction not
included in these programs, which help small businesses access the
knowledge and capital necessary to succeed and compete for federal
contracting opportunities.
Last fall, our islands were struck by two catastrophic natural
disasters. Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu, the second most
powerful storm ever in United States history, caused widespread
destruction of homes, businesses, schools and infrastructure. Under
presidential disaster declarations, the SBA set up temporary disaster
recovery centers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to assist small businesses
to apply for loans and other funds to cover damages resulting from the
storms.
We are grateful for the SBA's assistance during these disasters.
However, all SBA disaster outreach centers in the Marianas are now
closed and our economy is projected to take years to fully recover. The
SBA estimates there are over 1,700 small businesses in the Marianas
which employ over 18,000 people. These businesses and employees do not
have access to the full range of SBA programs to help them fully
recover. My bill would correct that by ensuring access on the same
basis as their counterparts across the nation, many of whom are also
recovering from natural disasters.
Under my bill, the Marianas can apply to establish a Lead SBDC, which
would make available around $600,000 in renewable funding to expand the
reach and capacity of the existing SBDC service center on Saipan. With
additional funding, small businesses on Saipan, Tinian and Rota will
have better access to free or low-cost services such as incubator
workspaces for entrepreneurs, assistance with loan applications,
business planning, operations, personnel administration, marketing,
export assistance, sales and other areas required for small business
growth and success.
The bill would benefit aspiring entrepreneurs and small business
owners in the Marianas who are not able to access conventional loans at
commercial banks. This legislation would provide them access to the
SBA's Microloan program which provides loans up to $50,000 typically
not offered by banks for working capital or the acquisition of
materials, supplies, or equipment. In addition, the SBA microloan
program, which is designed to assist women, low-income, veteran, and
minority entrepreneurs, provides marketing, management, and technical
assistance to borrowers.
The Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act would also help our
small businesses participate in federal research and development
opportunities. The bill includes the Marianas in the SBA's FAST
partnership program which funds outreach and technical assistance to
small businesses interested in competing for the Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR) programs. The SBIR and STTR programs have funded the development
of new sources of renewable energy and low-cost technology to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and help give the
aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses from the Marianas access to
the full range of federal resources needed to help our economy recover
from disaster and make their dreams of small business ownership a
reality.
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