S. 1093: Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act

This bill, known as the Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act, proposes several amendments to the Small Business Act to enhance support for small businesses located in rural areas. Below are the key provisions outlined in the bill:

Establishment of the Office of Rural Affairs

The bill establishes the Office of Rural Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). This office will be managed by an Assistant Administrator, who will be appointed by the Administrator of the SBA. The Assistant Administrator will be a noncareer appointee and a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Duties of the Office

The Office of Rural Affairs will have several responsibilities, including:

• Advising on policies and programs related to rural businesses.
• Working with federal departments and agencies to assist rural small businesses.
• Hosting outreach events specifically for rural small business concerns.

Outreach Initiatives

The Assistant Administrator is tasked with leading various outreach events across the United States to engage with rural small businesses. These events aim to invite participation from various stakeholders, including:

• District offices of the SBA.
• Resource partners.
• Federal and state agencies.

Interagency Cooperation

The bill emphasizes coordination between the SBA and the Department of Agriculture to promote awareness of existing programs and services benefitting rural small businesses. This includes assessing overlaps and potential collaborations on financial assistance and technical support initiatives, particularly for cooperatives and industries specific to rural areas.

Reports and Transparency

To ensure accountability and transparency, the Administrator of the SBA is required to submit a report within 180 days of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter. These reports must include:

• The office's operational details, including budget and personnel.
• A summary of outreach events conducted.
• An analysis of lending programs serving rural small businesses.
• Details of interagency collaboration efforts and their outcomes.

Definitions and Scope

The bill provides definitions for key terms used within the text, including clarifying what constitutes the appropriate congressional committees involved in overseeing the implementation of this act.

Relevant Companies

None found.