The following column reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are not endorsed or supported by WisOpinion.com.
President Biden’s Investing in America The objective of my economic policy is to strengthen small businesses and promote once-in-a-century generational investments to advance an inclusive American economy, promote fair market competition, address climate change, and revive domestic manufacturing. Investing in America Economic policies have spurred a small business boom, with more than 18 million business applications filed since 2021. This marks the most successful three-year period for new business applications under the Biden-Harris Administration, with more than 222,000 applications filed in Wisconsin.
Nationwide and in Wisconsin, there has been unprecedented demand for the SBA’s free business counseling, non-predatory capital and contracting assistance for selling to the federal government. Investing in America The four bipartisan pieces of legislation signed by President Biden – the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Curb Inflation Act – are stimulating high demand for SBA assistance.
These landmark laws spur public investments to rebuild our roads, bridges and airports, helping Wisconsin attract domestic and international commerce and strengthen community development. Investments also go toward sustainable green energy, clean air and safe water systems that help Wisconsinites save, build wealth and improve their health. And when small businesses do this, they create good jobs.
Benefiting from structural investments are diverse businesses, including those based in rural areas, those owned by women, people of color, LGBTQ+, and veterans. Examples include RL Davis Contracting Services, a family-owned, Black business in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley. RL Davis received SBA loans to purchase heavy equipment and needs the company’s hydroexcavation services to replace toxic lead pipes. The company partners with Hero Plumbing, another Black-owned business honored by the President. And Domina Consulting, a Latino-owned business in Kenosha, helps small businesses get certified for infrastructure construction contracts. Nationwide, more than 23,000 infrastructure projects have been funded, improving how Americans work, live, and play.
SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman has created a level playing field for entrepreneurs to learn about infrastructure opportunities, find financing, and identify growth markets to expand their customer base and grow jobs with the SBA’s online Investing in America Small Business HUB (IIA Hub) (www.sba.gov/IIAhub). At the SBA’s IIA HUB, small home repair and electrical work businesses can learn about energy tax rebates to compete for housing jobs; small manufacturing businesses can learn how to qualify for up to $350,000 in Green Matching Grants; and construction and building owners can win contracts to break ground and install low-cost, high-speed internet for the roughly 22 percent of Wisconsinites who don’t have internet contracts and get help with business, family, education and health issues.
As a whole-of-government effort, SBA partners with other federal agencies, the Wisconsin State Government (e.g., WEDC), and local business groups to host local events and webinars to engage with small businesses where they are located. It is important that small businesses seize the tremendous opportunities that infrastructure projects offer to start, grow and expand. For assistance, visit www.sba.gov, contact your SBA Wisconsin District Office, or follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sbawisconsin/ and https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sba-great-lakes.
– Geri Sanchez Aglipay is the SBA Great Lakes Regional Administrator.
