Senators introduce legislation supporting rural small businesses

On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced legislation that would support rural small businesses.

The legislation, the Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act, would direct the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate an Assistant Administrator for its Office of Rural Affairs, as well as codify ongoing efforts between the SBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve rural small business support.

“Rural small business owners rely on the SBA and USDA for critical resources to run and grow their businesses. This bipartisan legislation strengthens existing programs and ensures dedicated attention to the needs of rural small business owners,” Shaheen said. “In New Hampshire, our rural small businesses often overcome incredible challenges in order to grow and create jobs. I am proud to work across the aisle and take another step forward to help rural small businesses prosper.”

Shaheen’s office said the legislation would direct the SBA and USDA to expand their outreach to rural lenders and small businesses about agency programs, as well as create working groups to find synergies between the two agencies’ loan programs, asses where the agencies can coordinate in delivering resources through lenders and partners, coordinate the two agencies investment programs, among other efforts.

The Congressmembers said the two agencies have the resources and experience to work with rural entrepreneurs and community leaders to find solutions to problems faced by rural small businesses.

“Louisiana’s small businesses provide good paying jobs to folks throughout our state and support local economic growth. I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan bill alongside Sen. Shaheen to continue our investments in rural America,” Kennedy said.

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