PASSED: Davids’ Bipartisan Legislation to Support Women Business Owners Passes House
Today, the House passed Representative Sharice Davids' bipartisan Women's Business Centers Improvement Act, which would increase access to resources and opportunities for female entrepreneurs in Kansas and across the country. Davids reintroduced this bill in January along with Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and today it passed with strong bipartisan support.
WATCH Davids' floor speech today ahead of her bipartisan bill's passage:
The Women's Business Center (WBC) program was established 30 years ago to help women entrepreneurs succeed, and now boasts 150 locations throughout the U.S. These centers serve over 88,000 business owners annually, including the Kansas City WBC in Fairway, KS, which reached over 800 clients last year. Women-owned businesses employ 9.4 million people nationwide and contribute $1.2 trillion to our economy each year, but throughout the pandemic, female entrepreneurs have been more likely to close their doors—making these resources even more vital.
"Women's Business Centers are proven to generate successful business owners and spur economic activity across the country. I know because I've met several of the women who credit the Kansas City WBC's services for their thriving businesses in the Third District," said Davids. "I'm proud that my House colleagues recognize the contributions of women business owners to our economy and have chosen to invest in their success."
The Kansas City WBC serves Kansas entrepreneurs through trainings, workshops, counseling, and access to capital programs targeted at female business owners. Throughout the pandemic, they have adapted many of their programs to be virtual, relying on federal funding and the CARES Act to continue to service the strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas. Davids visited the Kansas City WBC earlier this year, holding a roundtable with several local business owners who have worked with the center to build their companies.
"We are a small team at the Kansas City Women's Business Center, but we serve a strong, vibrant community of entrepreneurs. Part of the reason we were able to serve over 800 clients and adapt our services during the pandemic last year is because of the support of champions like Representative Davids," said Sherry Turner, Executive Director of the Kansas City Women's Business Center. "We're excited to see this bipartisan bill move forward and we welcome the opportunity to reach more women across Kansas and lift up our entire local economy."
In January, Davids hosted a roundtable at the Kansas City Womens' Business Center with local business owners.
The Women's Business Centers Improvement Act reauthorizes the WBC program for four years, increases the authorization level from $18 million annually to $31.5 million, and increases the cap on individual center grants 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.
Throughout the pandemic, Davids has worked tirelessly to ensure that small businesses continue to serve as the heart of our community. She introduced the SUPPLIES Act, which would promote manufacturing of PPE and medical equipment like face masks, hospital gowns, ventilators, and testing materials at small and medium manufacturers here at home. She has also been a fierce advocate for minority- and tribal-owned businesses, working with SBA to secure critical funds through PPP for these traditionally overlooked business owners.