BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM AMID CONTENTIOUS HEARING ON SBA ENTREPRENUERIAL DEVELOPMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a heated House Small Business Committee oversight hearing that focused
on the Small Business Administration (SBA) entrepreneurial development (ED) programs, there was at
least some bipartisan consensus: Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) are a key component of the small
business boom since COVID. Both the Committee members as well as Associate Administrator Mark
Madrid who testified, publicly applauded the work of the WBC program as well as its association.
Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3), who sponsored legislation to modernize WBCs, recognized
AWBC and its CEO, Corinne Goble in her comments.

As a key stakeholder to SBA’s ED programs, AWBC CEO, Corinne Goble, released the following
statement:
“Despite clear differences over some programs at the SBA, we are pleased that the hearing shined a light
on the impactful work of our centers. Moreover, by highlighting some of the challenges of operating public
entrepreneurial development programs the hearing was a clear call for legislation to modernize our
program. I want to personally thank Congresswoman Davids for raising her critical and bipartisan
legislation, which will substantially improve how SBA and WBCs can serve the American people. I am
heartened that even in this partisan and cynical time, support for women-owned business is a national
imperative that garners support from all corners.”

With over 35 years of effectively serving hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, WBCs have shown a
robust impact in supporting women business owners across the country. The Women’s Business Centers
Improvement Act increases federal support to WBCs by doubling the maximum annual grant award to
$300,000 for individual centers, reauthorizes the WBC program for four years, and increases the total
authorization level for the first time since the program began. The bill also establishes an accreditation
program run by the Association of Women’s Business Centers to ensure all WBCs provide excellent service
and counseling.

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About the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC)
The AWBC (www.awbc.org) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in its 25th year supporting the national
network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) with programming and advocacy. The WBC program, a
public-private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is in its 35th year of operation and
spans 145 WBCs throughout the United States leveraging WBC grants. These centers have proven
successful in providing business training, counseling, mentoring, and access to capital to women
entrepreneurs. The WBC Program is the central pillar for women’s entrepreneurial development dating back
to landmark legislation, H.R. 5050 passed in 1988.