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Learn to Trade, Black History Month, Tribal Consultation Policy


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Join SBA’s Next “Learn to Trade” Virtual Roundtable:

“Accessing the Canadian Market”

 

Want to learn about exporting to Canada? Join SBA’s Office of International Trade for the next installment in our new Learn to Trade Roundtable Series on Accessing the Canadian Market. We will be joined by an expert from the U.S. Commercial Service Office in Ottawa, Canada.

This session will cover:

  • Overview of the Canadian market and its requirements
  • Learn how to take advantage of USMCA
  • Resources to help you access the Canadian market

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

2:00pm EDT

REGISTER

 


Photos of four people with the following text, Black History Month. The SBA logo is at the bottom.

 

Statement by SBA Administrator Guzman Observing

Black History Month 2022 

 

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, is head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet. Guzman issued the following statement to commemorate Black History Month:  

“Black business owners and entrepreneurs have long faced historic inequities and systemic barriers to capital and resources needed to start and grow their ventures. Those challenges have grown during the past two years as our country has battled a pandemic that has hit Black communities and other communities of color hardest. But the entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive in the Black community, and Black businesses are helping to revive our economy and put us back on track. At the SBA, we remain committed to breaking down barriers to accessing capital, networks, and markets and to bringing new investments and resources to Black communities across this nation. We’re working each day to level the playing field for business owners who have been underserved and overlooked far too long. That work is ongoing, and under President Biden’s leadership, we’re working this Black History month and every month to close gaps and build a better America that lifts more Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators. As we celebrate their contributions, I want to thank them for the work they are doing each day to build our economy and power local communities. Our doors at the SBA will always be open so we can continue to help their businesses grow and thrive.”

 


Tribal Consultation

 

In Signing New Tribal Consultation Policy, SBA Administrator Guzman Commits to Continued Equitable Access to Resources and Opportunities to Indian Country Businesses

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman signed the Agency’s Tribal Consultation Policy of 2022. The Agreement, which directs the SBA’s coordination with Tribal governments, also recognizes the Federal Government’s unique relationship with Native American governments and its responsibility to ensure small businesses from Tribal communities are fully considered and can equitably benefit from all of the resources offered by the American government, a priority under the Biden-Harris Administration and Administrator Guzman.

Through its Office of Native American Affairs, the SBA has taken proactive steps to honor our Nation’s responsibilities and update policies affecting the Agency’s ability to operate within a government-to-government relationship with federally recognized indigenous Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and to consult with tribal governments and ANCs before finalizing  SBA policies that have implications for these stakeholders. As President Biden said during his first week in office: “History demonstrates that we best serve Native American people when Tribal governments are empowered to lead their communities, and when Federal officials speak with and listen to Tribal leaders in formulating Federal policy that affects Tribal Nations.”

Since taking office, Administrator Guzman has directed the SBA to explore ways to deepen and expand the Agency’s connections to entrepreneurs and continue raising awareness of the wide range of government resources available to help small businesses – a critical element of the American Rescue Plan’s Community Navigator Pilot Program. While work continues to level the playing field for underserved communities and counter the struggles many faced in accessing relief in the early days of the pandemic, under the Biden-Harris Administration Native American entrepreneurs received nearly $700 million in SBA funding. Additionally, there are approximately 4,000 Native American entrepreneurs engaged in federal procurement – a number the SBA is aiming to increase by strengthening its business development programs, such as 8(a) and HUBZone, and helping small business owners navigate new contracting opportunities through recently announced procurement reforms. All Indian Country is HUBZone certified.

The Assistant Administrator/Office of Native American Affairs (AA/ONAA) will be the designated official with principal responsibility for SBA’s implementation of Executive Order 13175 and will lead and coordinate tribal consultations for the Agency. This will be accomplished through the following:

  • Developing an Information Package for Prospective Tribal Consultation Participants
  • Designing the Consultation Process 
  • Selecting Appropriate Meeting Sites
  • Providing Notice to Tribal Governments 
  • Identifying the Participants in the Consultation Process 

 

Following the consultation, if practicable and appropriate, the written record will remain open for a specified time to allow tribal officials the opportunity to submit additional comments. All follow-up comments should be submitted via e-mail to tribalconsultation@sba.gov or mailed to:

Attn: AA/ONAA

409 3rd Street, SW

Washington DC, 20416

The complete, signed U.S. Small Business Administration Tribal Consultation Policy can be view here: https://www.sba.gov/document/support–us-sba-tribal-consultation-policy



Helpful Links

Disaster (EIDL loans or advances/grants): DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or (833) 853-5638.

SBA PPP Webpage

To report waste, fraud, or abuse: OIG hotline (800) 767-0385 or OIGHotline@sba.gov

 


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About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov