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This week, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman visited Iowa and Louisiana to meet inspiring small business owners who were able to pivot, recover and grow with help from SBA programs and resources. Follow the Administrator on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to see photos and videos of all her visits to small businesses across America.
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Did you know…?
Apply Today for a 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award!
Did you know that employers of all sizes can receive an award from the U.S. Department of Labor for their efforts to recruit, employ and retain America’s veterans?
The 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program is now accepting applications! Learn more and apply online at HIREVets.gov.
- The award highlights companies and organizations committed to hiring and retaining America’s veterans in good, family-sustaining careers
- The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal-level veterans’ employment award that recognizes employers
- The application deadline is April 30, 2022
- Award recipients will receive a certificate and digital images of the medallion for use as part of their marketing and promotional activities
For more information, visit HIREVets.gov.
Apply Today
Administrator Guzman Highlights President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and SBA Small Business Recovery Efforts
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, visited the Des Moines, Iowa metro area. Administrator Guzman joined U.S. Representative Cindy Axne to highlight the economic impact of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the SBA’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG), and other relief funding programs. The two leaders met with small business owners who utilized various SBA programs to assist with their economic recovery and discuss their continuing needs as our communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
“Iowa’s small business community has been a driving force for our nation’s extraordinary recovery, seizing opportunities created under President Biden’s leadership to deliver record-setting job creation and the strongest economic growth America has seen in 40 years,” said Administrator Guzman. “My thanks to Congresswoman Axne and all the small business owners, public servants, and local leaders who welcomed me on their main streets and shared insights so that our entire SBA team can help support the great ideas and entrepreneurs that are defining Iowa’s incredible small business economy.”
Administrator Guzman kicked off her visit in Des Moines by traveling to West Des Moines and met with Rep. Axne. There, they visited Fox Brewing, a small business in the area, and met with owner Brian Fox who turned to the SBA for help and received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan after the pandemic hit. Fox used PPP funds to help keep his business open and employees on payroll.
“Iowa business owners have proven they are creative, resilient, and determined to keep their doors open – no matter what challenges are thrown their way,” said Rep. Axne. “I’m so grateful SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman joined me in Iowa to hear stories of perseverance directly from our business owners. I’m thankful for the SBA’s work in making sure the small businesses that anchor Iowa’s economy have equitable access to capital, programs, and the support they need to keep Iowa a great place to live and work.”
While in West Des Moines, Administrator Guzman and Rep. Axne also met with the owners of MoMere, Kay Schiller and Meredith Wells. Schiller and Wells also benefited from SBA’s programs like PPP and COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan during the pandemic. Administrator Guzman and Rep. Axne also met with the owner of St. Kilda Collective, Alex Hall, as well as the owner of El Fogon Mexican Grill, Blanca Plascencia.
In the afternoon, Administrator Guzman and Rep. Axne participated in a discussion about the SBA’s SVOG program, which helped 136 venues in Iowa weather the pandemic. Administrator Guzman and Rep. Axne ended their visit with a small business owner roundtable at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, where they heard from small business owners about how SBA assistance helped keep them afloat and how they plan to navigate a changing small business landscape. In addition, they also discussed access to capital for minority and women-owned micro-businesses and how SBA’s networks can ensure that small businesses are aware of SBA programs and services.
This visit marks the Administrator’s first official visit to the Des Moines area. In her first year in office, Administrator Guzman has visited 24 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, and over 40 cities.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development (IATF) and Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs (ACVBA) will hold virtual public meetings on March 2 and 3, respectively, via Microsoft Teams.
“The IATF and ACVBA committees convene quarterly to address the current state of veteran-owned small businesses and provide updates on how the SBA and Congress can best serve veterans by reducing barriers of access to small business ownership,” said Larry Stubblefield, Associate Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development. “Public participation from veteran small business owners and stakeholders is encouraged to help the committee hear directly about the challenges faced by the community and advance the priorities of the SBA and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, including prioritizing helping veteran entrepreneurs achieve successful business outcomes.”
WHAT: IATF and ACVBA Virtual Public Meetings
The IATF meeting will include committee member updates from the Departments of Defense, Labor, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs (VA); General Services Administration; Office of Management and Budget; North Carolina Military Business Center; and the American Legion.
The ACVBA meeting will cover topics related to veteran business development, including the CVE transfer to the SBA, VA’s small business programs, the veteran-owned surplus property program, and remarks from the ACVBA Chairwoman.
WHEN: IATF Meeting
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. (EST)
ACVBA Meeting
Thursday, March 3, 2022
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST)
WHO: Larry Stubblefield, Associate Administrator, SBA Office of Veterans Business
Development
IATF and ACVBA Committee Members
Guest Speakers from Interagency Partners and Veterans Service Organizations
HOW: The IATF will meet on Wednesday, March 2, from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. (EST) via this Microsoft Teams link. To join the meeting by phone instead, use 202-765-1264 and enter the Conference ID: 329057681#.
The ACVBA will meet Thursday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST) via this Microsoft Teams link. To join by phone instead, dial 202-765-1264 and enter the Conference ID: 620730395#.
Public comments and questions are strongly encouraged to be submitted in advance via email by February 25 to veteransbusiness@sba.gov. For technical support, please visit the Microsoft Teams support page. Meeting presentations and minutes will be available after both meetings at www.sba.gov/ovbd, under the “Federal Advisory Committees” section.
US Department of Labor Announces Proposed Rule to Update Powered Industrial Trucks Standard for General Industry
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to improve worker safety and health by ensuring the agency’s general industry and construction industry rules reflect current industry practice and state-of-the-art technology.
The proposed rule will update the design and construction requirements for OSHA’s powered industrial trucks standards for general industry and construction, including fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
Under the proposed rule, OSHA will update its general industry and construction standards for powered industrial trucks by adding references to the latest design and construction requirements published by the American National Standards Institute in conjunction with the Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation.
The first standard for powered industrial trucks took effect in 1971, based on industry consensus standards in 1969. Since then, national consensus standards have been updated several times.
In addition to updating the design and construction requirements for future manufactured powered industrial trucks, the proposed rule will also address equipment manufactured before the effective date of the final rule.
This proposal is part of a series of regulatory projects by OSHA to update nearly 200 consensus and industry standards to reflect the current versions of consensus and national industry standards.
Submit comments online, identified by Docket No. OSHA-2020-0008 at the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Read the Federal Register notice for submission instructions. Deadline for submitting comments is May 17, 2022.
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Next week
March 1
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 8: Question-and-answer panel, 2 p.m. ET
March 2
Noche de Ciencias 2022, 5:30 p.m. ET
March 3
Intellectual property basics and helpful resources, noon ET
The Path to a Patent, Part VI: Learn how to protect your IP abroad, 2 p.m. ET
Noche de Ciencias 2022, 5:30 p.m. ET
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