The U.S. House Small Business Committee on Feb. 3 approved and sent to the full chamber a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) that funds an entrepreneurs mentorship program for America’s small businesses.
“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,” said Rep. Kim, who serves as ranking member of the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development.
The SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022, H.R. 6450, which Rep. Kim sponsored on Jan. 20 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), would amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize the SCORE program, which provides education and mentorship services for entrepreneurs and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
“The SCORE program has proven to be a lifeline to business owners and entrepreneurs working hard to overcome challenges and succeed,” Rep. 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.”
If enacted, H.R. 6450 would reauthorize $13.5 million for the program for two years; task the SBA with preventing the misuse of federal funds; and expand counseling and training programs via online webinars, electronic mentoring platforms and online toolkits to improve services delivery for small businesses, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Kim’s office.
Rep. Craig said it’s critical for lawmakers to give every entrepreneur the resources and logistical support they need to launch their businesses and grow local economies. “I am pleased that the committee has advanced this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to ensure rural communities continue to grow and succeed,” she said.