LAS VEGAS, NV – On May 23, 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, joined U.S. Reps. Steven Horsford and Dina Titus to meet with local leaders and small business owners and discuss increasing equity and opportunities to help uplift and support underserved and disadvantaged small businesses.
“I was honored to join Reps. Horsford and Titus to meet with Nevada small business owners who are doing the important work of creating local jobs, building our nation’s economic output, and supporting neighborhoods,” Administrator Guzman said. “Our small businesses are starting, recovering, and focused on growth opportunities ahead, including contracts through the $1.2 trillion being invested through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). And, the SBA is committed to making sure capital, revenue growth opportunities, and support networks are available to all to seize this moment and help build a better, more equitable America.”
Administrator Guzman kicked off her trip with a roundtable discussion hosted by Rep. Horsford at Nevada Partners and heard from local small business owners about the challenges and successes they have faced in recent years. Administrator Guzman highlighted the SBA’s work to advance equity and access to resources and affordable capital for entrepreneurs.
In recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Administrator Guzman and Rep. Horsford then visited AAPI-owned Sun’s Thai Food, a local family business that benefitted from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
Administrator Guzman met with Andrea Vigil, COO of Allegiant Electric, LLC, the 2022 Nevada Small Business Person of the Year, to congratulate her on her award and tour her business. With the help of the SBA, Andrea was able to utilize two PPP loans, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and skills learned through the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative to sustain her business during the pandemic and thrive in a male-dominated industry.
Administrator Guzman then joined Rep. Dina Titus to meet with Maria Davila, owner of Rika Arepa Express, a local minority-owned small business that benefitted from PPP and EIDL, helping them keep their doors open during the pandemic. Rep. Titus hosted a discussion with local small business owners who highlighted their successes and the challenges and barriers they have had to overcome to sustain their operations. Administrator Guzman spoke of the SBA’s efforts to increase access to capital and connect small businesses with the resources they need to grow and thrive.
“Small business owners across the country bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Titus. “Nevada had the highest rate of unemployment of any major metropolitan area during the height of the pandemic, but we’ve been resilient. Small businesses are vital to continuing that resilience, creating jobs, and growing the economy. I will continue to work in Congress to provide the relief they deserve as we work toward a full recovery.”
On Tuesday, May 24, Administrator Guzman wrapped up her trip to Las Vegas at the 2022 Reservation Economic Summit. She delivered opening remarks and discussed SBA’s increased focus on supporting Native-owned businesses that have faced longstanding inequalities and persistent barriers to capital, markets, and networks. The Administrator met with Tribal leaders and small business owners to announce the launch of the SBA’s Tribal Lending Initiative to forge connections and learn how the SBA can better assist Native entrepreneurs in accessing capital through existing or new programs. She then met with Oweesta Corporation, an SBA Community Navigator Partner working with several Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) partners to provide training and technical assistance to Native-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
This visit marks the Administrator’s second official visit to Las Vegas, NV.
Photos from the trip are available below.
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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.
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford meet with Andrea Vigil, COO of Allegiant Electric, LLC, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman participates in a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford at Nevada Partners.