Legislation to Support Women Business Owners Introduced

Recently, Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), a tribal citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, along with Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), introduced the Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act, which would increase access to resources and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Kansas and across the country. Davids’ bill passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support in 2019 and 2022.

“While women-owned businesses employ 9.4 million people nationwide and contribute $1.2 trillion to our economy each year, these entrepreneurs often face increased challenges in starting and growing a business. By properly funding resources like Women’s Business Centers, we can increase access to credit and vital training services that help set entrepreneurs up for success,” Davids said. 

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.