Editorial: Expanding Women’s Entrepreneurship Opportunities; Women’s Business Centers
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Congressman Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, introduced a bipartisan measure to assist women in starting and growing their small businesses, which passed recently as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
A recent editorial by Knight and Antonella Pianalto, President and CEO of the Association of Women’s Business Centers, discussed the need and importance of the Women’s Business Centers Improvements Act of 2017, which would make changes to the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program, a federal network of educational centers that provide resources and counseling to female entrepreneurs.
From a previous story: https://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-latest-news/passing-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act-by-congressman-steve-knight-199231
By Congressman Steve Knight and Antonella Pianalto:
There are a growing number of opportunities for entrepreneurs in today’s business world, especially for those involved in a small business. Creating and growing a small business has its hurdles, but there should never be a disadvantage due to a person’s gender. There are an estimated 11.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, per “The S2016 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report”, conducted by American Express OPEN. These businesses employ nearly 9 million people and generate over $1.6 trillion in revenue. While these numbers are encouraging, many women entrepreneurs lack proper training to maintain growth due to an absence of support in years past.
According the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are 63 women-owned small businesses in California’s 25th Congressional District, which spans the Antelope, Santa Clarita, and Simi Valleys.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.With the help of women like Antonella Pianalto, President and CEO of the Association of Women’s Business Centers, which supports the national network of (WBCs), I have proposed a bill entitled, The Women’s Business Centers Improvements Act of 2017, that would improve the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program, making it more accessible and efficient. The program’s duplicative requirements are in need of simplification. Moreover, centers would benefit from a streamlined accreditation process similar to other resource partners. This legislation aims to address these problems and increases funding for the program so that it can enhance service quality.
Established in 1988 by the Women’s Business Ownership Act, the Women’s Business Center Program provides grants to non-profit organizations to promote women-owned small businesses through training and support. The program was made permanent in 2007 and now there are more than 100 educational centers throughout the United States, specifically designated to help women start and grow small businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Women’s Business Centers seek to “level the playing field” for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the business world.
As Chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce, I want to see that number grow and have identified WBCs as a valuable tool to increase opportunities for those women interested in starting a small business. WBCs offer a wide array of services, from training, counseling and access to capital. These services are offered in the form of classes or one-on-one professional counseling.
Women’s Economic Ventures and the Valley Economic Development Center are two WBCs located in the 25th district. They have served many women entrepreneurs in our community and continues to promote programs that help women business owners expand in our district. We are fortunate to have such wonderful centers in our district and must continue to expand the opportunities available for these women through H.R. 1680.
H.R. 1680 was included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA) and passed the House on July 14, 2017. This is an important milestone for the legislation as it inches closer to becoming law.
There is a desperate need for more, official WBCs in our district, and across the country.
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Steve, Thanks for doing this.