Women Business Centers, April 2004

NAWBO Call to Action
Women Business Centers
April 2004

Background:

With women-owned businesses growing at 1.5 to 2 times the rate of all privately held firms, the demand and need for the Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), which are operated and funded under the Small Business Administration (SBA), is greater than ever.
The importance of the WBCs cannot be overstated, as they make available experts to assist with the complicated process of starting, operating, and expanding a small business – from developing a business plan to hiring and managing personnel to finding long-term financing.
In 2003 the WBCs helped over 100,000 women entrepreneurs with their small business needs.

NAWBO Statement: The purpose of the SBA WBCs is aligned with NAWBO’s vision and mission statements. Through these centers, the SBA provides women business owners with invaluable programs and the tools they need to succeed.

Problem:

There are 88 WBCs, with 53 in sustainability as of 7/1/04. Current SBA reauthorization proposals only allot 30% of the funding to these centers.
If the 30% is not increased, there are two possible results: (1) All grants for 53 of the centers will be cut in half, or (2) 23 centers will completely lose funding.

Current Legislation: S.2267, introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe, and S. 2186, introduced by Senator John Kerry. Both these bills seek to increase the amount of funds available for sustainability centers, to enable support for existing centers, and to allow the SBA to open new ones.

Action required:

Go to www.senate.gov choose ‘State’ to assess the web sites of the your state Senators. From the websites, you can email the sample letter below by copying and pasting it into the required form or copy it to your letterhead and fax it.
Go to http://thomas.loc.gov and key in the bill numbers to get additional details.

For questions and / or more information, please contact .

Sample Letter: Women’s Business Centers

Date

The Honorable (your Senator’s full name)
Office address
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator (last name):

As the (your title) of (business name) in (City, State), as a small businessperson, and as a member of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), I am concerned about the fact that the Small Business Administration (SBA) Women Business Centers (WBCs) are in danger of losing some of their funding. These centers are a much needed and very crucial resource to women business owners, like myself.

Therefore, I am writing to ask for your support and / or co-sponsorship of S. 2267, introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe and / or S.2186, introduced by Senator John Kerry. Both of these bills seek to increase the amount of funds available for sustainability centers, to enable support for existing centers, and to allow the SBA to open new ones.

With women-owned businesses growing at 1.5 to 2 times the rate of all privately held firms, the demand and need for these centers is greater than ever before. The importance of the WBCs cannot be overstated, as they make available experts to assist with the complicated process of starting, operating, and expanding a small business – from developing a business plan to hiring and managing personnel to finding long-term financing. In 2003 the WBCs helped over 100,000 women entrepreneurs with their small business needs.

Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

(Your Name)
(Title and Contact Information)

NAWBO Houston