{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-bill-to-expand-and-reauthorize-small-business-development-center-program", "Golden Introduces Bill to Expand and Reauthorize Small Business Development Center Program", "2023-09-08", "2023", "2023-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today the introduction of legislation to build on the success of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program throughout the country. The Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2023 would help strengthen the SBDC network \u2014 including the 21 SBDCs located throughout Maine \u2014 by authorizing an increase of $35 million in annual funding for the program over the next four years and allowing SBDCs to do more to build awareness of their programs and services.\n\n\u201cFrom lobster boats to dairy farms to the shops in our towns and cities, Maine is home to over 100,000 small businesses,\u201d said Golden. \u201cImagine if every one of the businesses in Maine knew about the no-cost services offered by Maine SBDCs that have helped small business owners across the Second District expand their businesses and create jobs in their communities. My bill will help spread the word about SBDCs and make sure that the help they offer stays available to Maine businesses.\u201d\n\nThe largest Resource Partner within the Small Business Administration\u2019s entrepreneurial development ecosystem, SBDCs help small businesses get off the ground and expand their capacity through low- or no-cost business training and advising in areas like business plan development, marketing and sales, e-commerce, and small business strategic planning. Maine has a lead SBDC located at the University of Southern Maine, which operates ten outreach locations in Maine\u2019s Second District.\n\nMaine is home to a total of 151,212 small businesses.\n\n\u201cIn 2022, Maine SBDCs worked with 2,284 Mainers looking to start, grow, or sustain their business,\u201d said Maine SBDC State Director Mark Delisle. \u201cCongressman Golden\u2019s legislation not only ensures that Mainers have continued access to these no cost and vital services, but aims to broaden the reach of these resources. We thank Congressman Golden for continuing to be a champion for both SBDCs and Maine\u2019s small business community.\u201d\n\nHouse Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07) is an original co-sponsor of this legislation.\n\nThis legislation builds on similar legislation that Golden passed through the House Small Business Committee and the full House in 2022 and in 2019.\n\nA copy of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:35:26Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-bill-to-expand-and-reauthorize-small-business-development-center-program"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.643623061478138, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}