WASHINGTON, DC– On July 6, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America's 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden's Cabinet, met with business owners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, highlighting equity, the importance of locally-produced products to our economy, and the record number of small business applications – a more than 30 percent increase – under the Biden-Harris Administration.
In East Providence, Rhode Island, the SBA Administrator joined U.S. Senator Jack Reed for breakfast at Pazi’s Place. Pazi’s Place is a 1950s-style diner where Administrator Guzman and Senator Reed met with small business leaders. After breakfast, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva presented Administrator Guzman with an honorary key to the city.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Pazi’s Place owner Jason McVeigh, Administrator Guzman, Mayor Bob DaSilva, SBA New England Regional Administrator Mike Vlacich and SBA Rhode Island District Director Mark S. Hayward at the key to the city presentation.
“America’s small businesses make and deliver the products we all depend on every day, especially in New England, where making things is ingrained in the culture,” said Administrator Guzman. “As we saw firsthand in Rhode Island, buying American-made products helps create highly-skilled jobs, grows the economy, and increases our competitiveness in the global economy. Under President Biden’s leadership and that of Senator Reed, small manufacturers will have a level playing field to strengthen domestic supply chains, bring down costs for businesses and families, and open doors of opportunity in Rhode Island and across the nation.”
Administrator Guzman toured two manufacturing businesses that are great examples of firms creating America-made products locally. O&G Studio’s is a furniture manufacturer that creates modern heirloom pieces that honor and builds upon American design traditions. The business received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans to assist with their pandemic recovery. Taylor Box, established in 1885, designs and produces specialized paperboard packaging. During the tour of Taylor Box, President and CEO Dan Shedd shared his perspective on supply chain disruptions for the industry and how his company has worked to overcome these challenges. When COVID-19 forced Taylor Box to halt operations, Shedd was able to secure a PPP loan. The funding allowed Taylor Box to help pay its employees to assist with their pandemic recovery.
Administrator Guzman’s Rhode Island visit ended at Hope & Main, a food incubator famous for helping small businesses start and grow. At Hope & Main, the Administrator toured the space and participated in a small business roundtable where she got to hear firsthand from several of the businesses that used the facility during their startup and growth stages. During the pandemic, Hope & Main received money from PPP and COVID EIDL to fund payroll and assist with their pandemic recovery.
In Massachusetts, Administrator Guzman joined Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to visit soon-to-open Nubian Markets, a market, cafe and gathering place celebrating the African Diaspora through food in the heart of Boston's Black community. Administrator Guzman and Mayor Wu held a small business roundtable with minority-owned businesses in Roxbury and local community leaders at the meeting space within the market. Business owners had the chance to talk about their business successes and challenges and hear from Administrator Guzman and Mayor Wu about various support available from the city, state, and federal government for small businesses and minority entrepreneurs.
Administrator Guzman with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at a roundtable discussion in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.