Golden’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Launch and Grow Maine Small Businesses Passes House

WASHINGTON — Continuing his work to create and protect jobs in Maine by helping small businesses grow, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) successfully passed his bipartisan bill to reauthorize and expand the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program through the House of Representatives today. Golden's legislation supports the work of the 11 SBDC outreach locations in Maine's Second District to provide low- or no-cost business training and advising in areas like business plan development, marketing and sales, e-commerce, and small business strategic planning. The bill passed overwhelmingly, with 375 Members of Congress from both parties supporting the legislation.

"Helping small businesses succeed is the most important thing we can do to protect good jobs in Maine," said Golden. "Small Business Development Centers are doing that work in nearly every corner of our state, providing Mainers with the know-how and expertise to start a business or keep it growing. My bill would make more resources available to SBDCs and improve the program to bring the free services they offer to even more small businesses in Maine. I'm proud to lead the effort to pass this common-sense, bipartisan legislation through the House with support from both sides of the aisle."

Golden's bill, the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act, was introduced with Republican Congresswoman Auma Aumata Coleman Radewagen (AS-At Large). The legislation reauthorizes the SBDC program and increases the funds available for the program by $40 million to $175 million per year. The legislation also makes important changes to the SBDC program itself, including allowing SBDCs to market their services in their communities and broaden their reach to more small businesses.

Congressman Golden has heard from Maine small businesses about the importance of SBDCs to the businesses' growth and success.

"The Maine SBDC was a big help for my own business, the Bangor Pet Resort. Making sure that SBDCs are able to assist other Mainers who want to start their own small businesses is important to me. Congressman Golden's bill, which would help expand SBDCs and help them serve more Mainers, is a great way to support Maine small business owners and workers. I'm glad to see SBDCs getting the support they need to continue being a resource for us." - Sarah Smith, Bangor Pet Resort

"My work with 207 Entertainment wouldn't be where it is today without both Mr. Raynor Large and the Maine SBDC. Congressman Golden's bill, which would improve the SBDC program and help it grow, is critical to businesspeople like me. The Maine SBDC and Mr. Raynor Large assisted me with my company's business plan, and was integral to my success. This bill would ensure they can continue to help business owners like myself and entrepreneurs expand their businesses here in Maine." - Scott Jordan, 207 Entertainment

"The Maine [SBDC] was a big part of my successful work with Community Caring Clinic. They helped us [add] to our business plan. I'm glad to see Congressman's Golden's bill to improve and expand the SBDC program and continue their work to help businesspeople like me start and grow their businesses in Maine." - Abdifatah Ahmed, Community Caring Clinic

In 2018, Maine SBDCs provided services to more than 1,500 Maine small businesses, launched 136 new ones, and created or protected more than 800 jobs in the state. Across the country, SBDCs help small businesses get access to resources like business training, business plan development, marketing and sales, strategic planning, and more - all at low to no-cost to the business.

The Maine SBDC has offices in Auburn, Bangor, Caribou, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Farmington, Fort Kent, Houlton, Machias, Rumford and South Paris, along with additional locations in the First Congressional District.

Find a list of SBDC success stories in Maine here.

The text of the bill can be found here.

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