WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an amendment sponsored by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), and John Sununu (R-N.H.) to create a grant program for established, successful Women's Business Centers around the country. The provision is now part of the minimum wage legislation being considered on the Senate floor.
"I've been working for 21 years on the Committee to promote expanded entrepreneurial opportunities for women and secure funding for these centers which help turn ideas into jobs, start-ups into success," said Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "I cannot stress enough the vital role Women's Business Centers play in cities all around the country, like Boston and Worcester. This amendment ensures we will be providing women-owned small businesses the tools they need to grow and flourish."
"We cannot afford to ignore, or minimize, the extraordinary contributions America's business women are making to our economy, our culture, and our future. The achievements of women entrepreneurs are undeniable. Women-owned firms generate almost $2.5 trillion in revenues. They employ more than 19 million workers and are the fastest growing segment of today’s economy. In my home state of Maine alone, more than 63,000 women-owned firms generate an astounding $9 billion in sales," said Snowe. "Today, I am pleased to join Small Business Committee Chairman John Kerry and Senator Sununu with this amendment so women small business owners have the resources, the support and the opportunities they need and deserve."
Senator Sununu said: "Women's Business Centers contribute to the strength and diversity of the small business community, as we know from the great example set by Portsmouth's facility. Centers that have performed at a high level should have the option of applying for additional help to enable their important work to continue. The Senate’s action today marks an important step in the effort to preserve critical funding for WBCs in New Hampshire and across the country."
The amendment is similar to language that passed out of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship last summer as part of S. 3778, the comprehensive Small Business Administration reauthorization bill, which is based on the Women's Business Center Sustainability Pilot Program Kerry created in 1999.
Specifically, the amendment allows established Women's Business Centers to apply for 3-year grants on an ongoing basis. This permanent stream of federal funding is critical to helping the Centers secure matching private funds. This amendment also prohibits the Centers from sharing information about their clients without their consent, unless the information is required by a court order or to do an audit of the center.
"I've been working for 21 years on the Committee to promote expanded entrepreneurial opportunities for women and secure funding for these centers which help turn ideas into jobs, start-ups into success," said Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "I cannot stress enough the vital role Women's Business Centers play in cities all around the country, like Boston and Worcester. This amendment ensures we will be providing women-owned small businesses the tools they need to grow and flourish."
"We cannot afford to ignore, or minimize, the extraordinary contributions America's business women are making to our economy, our culture, and our future. The achievements of women entrepreneurs are undeniable. Women-owned firms generate almost $2.5 trillion in revenues. They employ more than 19 million workers and are the fastest growing segment of today’s economy. In my home state of Maine alone, more than 63,000 women-owned firms generate an astounding $9 billion in sales," said Snowe. "Today, I am pleased to join Small Business Committee Chairman John Kerry and Senator Sununu with this amendment so women small business owners have the resources, the support and the opportunities they need and deserve."
Senator Sununu said: "Women's Business Centers contribute to the strength and diversity of the small business community, as we know from the great example set by Portsmouth's facility. Centers that have performed at a high level should have the option of applying for additional help to enable their important work to continue. The Senate’s action today marks an important step in the effort to preserve critical funding for WBCs in New Hampshire and across the country."
The amendment is similar to language that passed out of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship last summer as part of S. 3778, the comprehensive Small Business Administration reauthorization bill, which is based on the Women's Business Center Sustainability Pilot Program Kerry created in 1999.
Specifically, the amendment allows established Women's Business Centers to apply for 3-year grants on an ongoing basis. This permanent stream of federal funding is critical to helping the Centers secure matching private funds. This amendment also prohibits the Centers from sharing information about their clients without their consent, unless the information is required by a court order or to do an audit of the center.
