The U.S. Small Business Administration and the White House Webinar with Small Business Leaders on Economic Recovery and Vaccine Leadership Briefing

The U.S. Small Business Administration & the White House Webinar with Small Business Leaders on Economic Recovery & Vaccine Leadership Briefing | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 14, 2021)

Washington - - On Thursday, June 10, as part of the "Vaccine Month of Action," The White House, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Public Private Strategies Institute hosted a briefing for small business leaders on COVID-19 recovery as part of their recently announced "Getting Back on Track: Help is Here" webinar series.

Over a thousand participants joined the briefing featuring SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and Dr. Bechara Choucair, White House COVID-19 Vaccinations Coordinator. Administrator Guzman and Dr. Choucair discussed the importance of vaccinations and provided updates on COVID-19 economic aid programs, such as the ...

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Funding Competition to Organizations Providing Federal Procurement Training to Veteran Entrepreneurs | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 12, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that non-profit organizations and private sector firms are now eligible to compete for funding of up to $500,000 to deliver federal procurement training to veteran and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. The application period begins today through July 12, 2021.

Up to two awardees will use the $500,000 in total funding to participate in the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (SB-OVVT-21-001) with grants from SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development. Awards will be made for a base project period of 12 months, with three option periods of 12 months each. These funds will be used...

U.S. Small Business Administration Awards Funding to Veterans Business Outreach Center at the University of Maryland, College Park | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 10, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the awarding of $400,000 in funding to the University of Maryland, Division of Research to provide training and counseling as a Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) serving veteran small business owners in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

The funding opportunity, offered by SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, has an initial project year of 11 months with up to four additional one-year option periods, subject to the availability of funds. The project period is effective starting June 1, 2021 and ends on April 30, 2026. “The military small business community – which inclu...

FedEx Announces the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab in Collaboration with Accion Opportunity Fund | site |



FedEx says $1 million grant will be used to fund program to help businesses owned by women and people of color expand e-commerce operations


(Information contained in FedEx press release dated: May 13, 2021)

Memphis, Tenn., May 13, 2021 – FedEx today announced the launch of the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab, a new program developed in collaboration with Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), a leading nonprofit organization providing small business owners with access to capital, networks, and coaching. The program is designed to help diverse small business owners who are looking to develop or expand their e-commerce operations as they continue to adapt their business models in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on women and entrepreneurs of color. The program will provide intensive hands-on learning to a cohort of...

$2.7 Million for Women’s Business Center Resiliency and Recovery Demonstration Grant | site |


SBA Funding to Support WBC Network COVID-19 Program Innovations


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration press release dated: May 17, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) is accepting applications for the Women's Business Centers (WBC) Resiliency and Recovery Demonstration Grant. The purpose of this opportunity is to continue or establish innovative projects that aim to improve service delivery, training, and support provided to women-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19.

This grant program is only open to existing SBA-funded WBCs. A total amount of approximately $2.7 million in funding is available for this program. SBA expects to make 14 awards of not more than $200,000 per award. There is no matching requirement. Successful respondents...

Register for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's 40th Annual Small Business Forum, Featuring Inclusive Conversations on Capital Formation from Startup to Small Cap| site |


(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: May 5, 2021)

Washington D.C., May 5, 2021 - - The Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation will host the Securities and Exchange Commission's 40th Annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation virtually from May 24-27, 2021. Each of the four sessions will feature panelists with in-depth knowledge of the issues facing small businesses across the country, spotlighting the following topics: Monday, May 24: Finding Your First Dollars Tuesday, May 25: Being a Savvy Investor Wednesday, May 26: Small and Emerging Funds Thursday, May 27: Small Cap Insights The Forum website will continue to be updated with details on the agenda, speakers, registr...

U.S. Small Business Administration Fact Sheet: Changes to Paycheck Protection Program by Biden-Harris Administration Increase Equitable Access to Relief | site |



SBA says "Early indications show program reforms and efforts to engage with communities authentically are working in meaningful ways."


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: March 9, 2021)

Two weeks ago, the Biden-Harris Administration made several reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further ensure small businesses get the help they need, especially Mom-and-Pop businesses in underserved communities. Putting equity at the center of its policies and programs, the Biden-Harris Administration launched a comprehensive plan to engage small businesses and nonprofits, focusing on building trust in underserved communities. The cornerstone of reforms included a 14-day exclusivity period (February 24-Mar...

SBA Reaches $200 Billion Milestone in Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to Small Businesses and Non-Profits | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: February 12, 2021)

Washington - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration reached a milestone in the success of the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which has provided U.S. small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses a total of $200 billion in emergency funding. “Following the enactment of COVID-19 emergency legislation, the SBA has now provided more than 3.7 million small businesses employing more than 20 million people with $200 billion through the unprecedented COVID-19 EIDL loan program,” Acting Administrator Tami Perriello said. “SBA remains committed to helping small businesses recover from the unprecedented economic effects of COVID-19.” SBA is still accepting COVID-1...

U.S. Small Business Administration and Lenders take more steps to improve Paycheck Protection Program | site |



Loan data shows 1.3 million loans and significant increase to underserved entrepreneurs


Washington - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration and lenders are taking more strides to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so that small businesses can access much needed PPP funds to persevere through the pandemic, recover, and build back better. The Administration is working with the Agency to increase equitable access to underserved small businesses, to assure the integrity of the program, and to promote rapid and efficient distribution of funds.

This week, the SBA hit a major milestone of approving $104 billion of PPP funds to more than 1.3 million small businesses. Highlights from this round include:

• Reaching more of the smallest businesses; 82% of all loans going to businesses

...

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Starks announces Future of Work Panel on Black-owned Businesses and the Digital Divide| site |


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: February 8, 2021)

Washington, February 8, 2021 - - On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will virtually host Future of Work: Black Owned Businesses and the Digital Divide. The continued fight for social justice and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us an unparalleled opportunity to focus our efforts on the fundamental values of fairness and equity as we rebuild our economy and workforce for the future. This unprecedented crisis has also demonstrated that economic opportunity and access to affordable, reliable broadband are inextricably tied. The policies necessary to bridge the digital divide must center the most marginalized, including Black-owned businesses and Black workers who...

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Report Shows Child Drownings Remain High; Most Fatalities to Children Under Five | site |




Fewer Kids Took Swim Lessons During COVID-19 Pandemic Putting Them at Risk


(Information contained in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission press release dated: June 8, 2021)

Washington - - The annual drowning and submersion report released today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds families to make water safety a priority, particularly as they return to community pools and resume warm-weather activities near water. Child drownings remain the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages one to four years old.

CPSC’s latest data show:

• an increase in pool-or spa-related fatal drowning incidents among children younger than 15 years old;
• on average, there were 397 reported pool-or-spa-related fatal drownings per

...

Renee Jones to Join SEC as Director of Corporation Finance; John Coates Named SEC General Counsel | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: June 14, 2021)

Washington D.C., June 14, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Renee Jones has been appointed Director of the Division of Corporation Finance. John Coates, the Division’s current Acting Director, has been named SEC General Counsel. Both appointments are effective June 21, 2021.


Renee Jones

Jones most recently served as Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Boston College Law School, where she taught courses in corporations, securities regulation, startup company governance, and financial regulation. Previously, she represented private and public companies on corporate and securities matters at Hill & Barlow law firm. Jones is a member of the...

Boeing Statement on U.S.-EU Understanding on Aircraft Subsidies | site |



(Information contained in The Boeing Company press release dated: June 15, 2021)


Chicago, June 15, 2021— Boeing today released the following statement:

“Boeing welcomes the agreement by Airbus and the European Union that all future government support for the development or production of commercial aircraft must be provided on market terms. The understanding reached today commits the EU to addressing launch aid, and leaves in place the necessary rules to ensure that the EU and United States live up to that commitment, without requiring further WTO action. Boeing will fully support the U.S. Government’s efforts to ensure that the principles in this understanding are respected.”...

Statement by Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education on the U.S. Department of Education Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: June 16, 2021)

Statement by Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education on the U.S. Department of Education Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request

Good morning Chairwoman Murray and Ranking Member Blunt. I am pleased to join you today, and I am proud to testify on behalf of President Biden's fiscal year 2022 Budget Request for the Department of Education. The full fiscal year 2022 Budget Request, which was released a little over two weeks ago, makes good on President Biden's campaign commitment to reverse years of underinvestment in Federal education programs and would begin to address the significant inequities that millions of students—primarily students of color—and teachers confront every day i...

Federal Trade Commission Approves Final Administrative Consent Order Against Amazon for Withholding Customer Tips from Amazon Flex Drivers | site |


(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: June 10, 2021)

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final administrative consent order against Amazon, which has agreed to pay more than $61.7 million to settle charges that it failed to pay Amazon Flex drivers the full amount of tips they received from Amazon customers over a two and a half year period.

According to the FTC’s administrative complaint, announced in February 2021, the company regularly advertised that drivers participating in the Flex program would be paid $18-25 per hour for their work making deliveries to customers. The ads, along with numerous other documents provided to Flex drivers, also prominently featured statements such as: “You...

Interior and Commerce Departments Restore Lands to the Native Hawaiian Community | site |




Transfer of Surplus Federal Land to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Could Provide Up To 400 New Homesteads for Native Hawaiian Families



(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Interior press release dated: June 14, 2021) Washington - - As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to honor relationships with Indigenous communities and uphold trust responsibilities, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves today announced the transfer of an 80-acre parcel of surplus federal property at the former NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on O‘ahu for inclusion in the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust. The land has the potential to provide homesteads for 200 to 400 Native Hawaiian families. The lands are being transferred to the state of Hawaii’s Department of Hawaiian Home Lands ...

Adrianne Todman Sworn in as Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] press release dated: June 14, 2021)

Washington - - Today, Adrianne Todman was officially sworn in as the twelfth Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge issued the oath of office to Deputy Secretary Todman during a ceremony at HUD’s headquarters that was livestreamed to the department’s staff. Deputy Secretary Todman was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent on June 10.

Deputy Secretary Todman most recently served as the CEO of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Before

Adrianne Todman Sworn in as Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Photo courtesy HUD)

...

Testimony of Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release dated: June 17, 2021)

Testimony of Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives

Chairman Neal, Ranking Member Brady, it’s a pleasure to be with you. When I took office back in January, the first – and most urgent – problem confronting our economy was obviously the pandemic: helping people make it to the other side of the crisis and ensuring they were met there by a robust recovery. Thanks to this Congress – and its passage of the American Rescue Plan – I believe we are well on our way towards that goal. But we have to be clear-eyed about something: The pandemic was not our only economic problem. Long before a single American was infected w...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Selects 2021 Class of E. Kika De La Garza Fellows | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] press release dated: June 17, 2021) Washington, June 17, 2021 - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the selection of 25 faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the nation as 2021 E. Kika De La Garza Fellows. This summer fellowship program offers experiences in policymaking and research through direct interaction with every USDA agency. “These fellowships have multiple benefits for minority-serving higher education institutions,” said Lisa Ramirez, director of USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. “The fellows get valuable professional development, they meet federal staff for long-term collaboration opportunities, and then they share what they learned with students and colleagues at their home institutions.” The f...

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee release Economic Projections from the June 15-16 FOMC Meeting | site |




(Information contained in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System press release dated: June 16, 2021)

The attached tables and charts released on Wednesday summarize the economic projections made by Federal Open Market Committee participants in conjunction with the June 15-16 meeting.

Projections (PDF) | Accessible Materials...