Rep. Young Votes In Support Of Native Business Development

Press Release

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted this afternoon in favor of H.R. 1834, the Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009, which would amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

"The development of the Native business community is integral to the culture and economy of Alaska," said Rep. Young. "We need to make it attractive for businesses to open and grow in Alaska so that we can continue to be a strong state. I will always offer any support I can to that effort, and this bill will most certainly work towards that goal."

The Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009:

· Authorizes the SBA's Administrator (acting through the Associate Administrator) to: (1) operate a Tribal Business Information Centers program that provides Native American populations with business training and entrepreneurial development assistance; (2) designate entities as centers; (3) contribute agency personnel and resources to the centers; and (4) make grants to the centers.

· Allows any eligible applicant to apply for an additional grant to assist with outreach, development, and enhancement on Indian lands of small business startups and expansions owned by Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Requires for eligibility, that the applicant be in a state in which the combined Indian Tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians make up at least 1% of the state's total population.

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