A bill that would reauthorize the Small Business Administration’s SCORE Program was passed by the House Small Business Committee last week.
The SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022 (H.R. 6450) now moves to the full House for consideration. The SBA’s SCORE program provides education and mentorship services for entrepreneurs. It offers the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation.
The bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Angie Craig (D-MN).
“The SCORE program has proven to be a lifeline to business owners and entrepreneurs working hard to overcome challenges and succeed,” Kim said. “I thank Rep. Craig for working with me to push for continued investment in the success of our small business owners, and I’m grateful for our fellow Small Business Committee members for supporting this important effort. Our small business owners are job creators and economic engines in our communities, and I’ll continue to do all that I can to help them thrive.”
Kim is the ranking member of the Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development.
The SCORE for Small Business Act would reauthorize $13.5 million for the program for two years. It would also expand counseling and training programs to provide online webinars, electronic mentoring platforms, and online toolkits to better serve small businesses.
“Small businesses, which represent more than 93 percent of employers in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, are the economic engine of our communities,” Craig said. “It’s critical that we give every entrepreneur – regardless of their zip code – the resources and logistical support they need to launch their businesses and grow our local economies. I am pleased that the committee has advanced this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to ensure rural communities continue to grow and succeed.”