Young Oak Kim: “My amendment today is a simple one. It provides more support for two critical programs that have helped jump-start small…”

“My amendment today is a simple one. It provides more support for two critical programs that have helped jump-start small businesses, create jobs, and foster the American Dream. The Small Business Administration's Veterans Business Outreach Centers and Small Business Development Centers may not be household names to some, but they have been a lifeline and resource to small business owners across our country. Veterans Business Outreach Centers provide counseling and training to eligible servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses. With 22 centers nationwide, this program provides the skills aspiring entrepreneurs need to get their ideas and businesses off the ground. At a time in which military spouse unemployment is more than six times the national average, these programs can help provide opportunities for those who have served and their families. Small Business Development Centers also provide essential services to small business owners who fuel our economy. These centers have trained hundreds of thousands of Americans in developing business plans and accessing capital. These programs touch each and every one of our districts, but let me tell why it is important to the people of Burlington and Ocean Counties in New Jersey. Small businesses are the backbone of the New Jersey economy.…”