SAN ANTONIO — The country's top small business administrator, Isabella Casillas Guzman, is on a national tour, visiting with entrepreneurs and community organizations to talk economic recovery post-COVID, including how the U.S. Small Business Administration is trying address access to money.
“The Build Back Better framework includes key investments in SBA to expand access to capital, our lending programs, through direct lending authorities that will help us get businesses the help they need,” Casillas Guzman said while visiting San Antonio Friday.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden unveiled the new framework for the Build Back Better agenda, which includes approximately $1.75 trillion in investments, including child care, affordable health care and combating climate change.
“Some people call this Build Back Better a social program,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo, speaking with Casillas Guzman on Friday. “I don’t call it that. I call it a jobs program. Let me explain why: If you give money for pre-K, that’s not only good for the individual to develop, but it’s also for the parents that can get back to work. If we do daycare assistance, assistance for people, that allows parents also to get back to work.”
Guzman stressed the role small businesses play in local economies and employing people.
She said there’s money these businesses should take advantage of.
“SBA has many programs with capital, access to markets, technical assistance that can wrap around your business and help you be successful,” Casillas Guzman said. “So please count on us; visit SBA.gov.”
The Build Back Better framework includes changes made by the White House after months of negotiations. The Paid Family Leave Act and free community college were left on the cutting room floor.