Congressman Cardoza Aims To Increase Business Opportunities For Valley Veterans

Press Release

This week, with Congressman Cardoza's support, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009. The bill represents a major effort to provide established small businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups the needed tools and resources to grow and create jobs.

An important piece of the bill calls for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a Veterans Business Centers program. This will provide entrepreneurial training and counseling specifically targeted at veterans wishing to start a small business.

Congressman Cardoza successfully included an amendment in the legislation that would waive a local matching-fund requirement to establish veterans business centers in the areas hit hardest by the recession. This will make it easier to establish centers in areas such as the Valley and gives veterans faster access to start-up assistance.

"Small businesses are the engine of our economy. This bill is another big step forward in helping drive small business growth and economy recovery in the Central Valley. Further, our nation's veterans have earned all of the assistance we can provide them. This is a win-win all around," said Congressman Cardoza. "I will continue to fight to bring economic recovery efforts to the Valley and to support those who have sacrificed on behalf of our great nation."

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