WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014The\u202fU.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. <\/p>\n
This new initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan, will leverage a community navigator approach to reach the nation\u2019s smallest businesses, with a priority focus on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans. SBA will accept applications through July 12, 2021, and anticipates making award decisions by August 2021. The Biden-Harris Administration has made delivering equitable relief to hard-hit small businesses a top priority and will continue to take steps to ensure equitable distribution of relief. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Community Navigator Pilot Program is a crucial addition to our SBA programs because it helps us to connect with small businesses that have historically been underserved or left behind. These businesses\u2014the smallest of the small in rural and urban America, and those owned by women, people of color, or veterans\u2014have suffered the greatest economic loss from this pandemic,\u201d said SBA administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. \u201cWe\u2019ll be using a hub and spoke model in local regions across the nation to bridge the gap between local entrepreneurs and SBA\u2019s resources and programs. If we\u2019re going to build back better, we need to ensure that all entrepreneurs have the support they need to recover.\u201d<\/p>\n
In February 2021, Congress met to provide a blueprint on assistance to small businesses with provisions under the American Rescue Plan. Members of Congress met with constituents to discover at local levels, the impact of the pandemic and the effect it is having on businesses that may have been left out in early rounds of relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve spoken to small businesses in every corner of Arizona. Far too many of them, especially tribal and minority-owned businesses and those in rural communities, have been unable to get the support they need,\u201d said Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. \u201cIt\u2019s why I fought to include the Community Navigator Program in the American Rescue Plan because it will help meet Arizona small businesses right in their communities, including providing assistance for Spanish-speakers, and get them the relief they need to keep their doors open and workers on payroll.\u201d\u202f<\/p>\n
\u201cAs someone proudly representing one of the most diverse congressional districts in the country, I am glad the Community Navigator Pilot Program will soon be launching,\u201d\u202fsaid Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia.\u202f\u201cWe have already seen the difficulties diverse communities face in accessing critically-needed relief resources, from securing PPP funds to rental relief. Through targeted outreach to small businesses in underserved communities, we can ensure that everyone is able to take advantage of the resources offered by the American Rescue Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Community Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity will be open to applications from nonprofit organizations, state, local, and tribal governments, SBA resource partners, and other organizations. Selected partners will engage in targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities to help small businesses get the resources and support they need to get back on track as the economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur small business owners\u2014especially those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, people of color, women, veterans, and Native Americans\u2014they need us the most, and they need us now,\u201d said SBA associate administrator for the Office for Entrepreneurial Development Mark Madrid. \u201cThis initiative underscores our Agency\u2019s commitment to connecting distressed small business resources with SBA resources and grant funding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SBA understands the importance of partnering with organizations as well as smaller, local institutions that are already embedded in the fabric of the Main Street business communities they serve,\u201d said assistant administrator for the Office of Women\u2019s Business Ownership Natalie Madeira Cofield. \u201cCommunity Navigators are the backbone of aiding underserved and underrepresented communities across the nation with recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Key in this initiative are partners and people in the community, serving as a two-way information stream, enabling\u202fenterprising business owners to receive the help needed from the SBA. Serving as the foundation of America\u2019s economy, these underserved businesses have areas of concern that need to be addressed. Community Navigator Pilot will provide counseling, networking, and the\u202fassistance needed during this time of economic recovery.<\/p>\n
Competitive grant awards will range from $1 million to $5 million for a two-year performance period. Applicants have until July 12, 2021, to submit their applications at grants.gov. Performance periods are projected to commence in September 2021. Those eligible to apply must meet and demonstrate abilities to support the requirements of this funding opportunity.
\nFor more information on the Community Navigators Initiative, visit www.sba.gov\/navigators. (PR)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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