SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman Visits Seattle, Washington to Highlight Economic Recovery of Small Businesses, and Speak at Amazon’s Accelerate Conference

Small business owner in Seattle

Administrator Guzman, Mayor Durkan and small business owner from Seattle

Administrator Guzman, Mayor Durkan and small business owner from Seattle

Washington Machine Works

Administrator Guzman and Richard Stewart, co-owners of Washington Machine Works

Administrator Guzman and Richard Stewart, co-owners of Washington Machine Works

Seattle, WA, Oct. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), visited Seattle, Washington this week as part of a national tour highlighting small business recovery and available resources highlighted entrepreneurial support.

Administrator Guzman met with a diverse group of small business owners who benefited from the American Rescue Plan, community organizations, and economic development advocates to hear their experiences first hand and outline the path the Biden-Harris administration has made to the small business community. In line with the Biden-Harris administration’s focus on ensuring that equity is central to government, Administrator Guzman has directed the SBA to provide resources and funding to the smallest of small businesses, many of which are critical to the success of our communities are like z who toured in Seattle. She also stressed that vaccinations are critical to our efforts to help businesses reopen fully and help Americans get back to work safely.

“Seattle worked for years to build an incredible ecosystem of innovative startups and avid entrepreneurs, a job that has proven invaluable as the same companies worked to survive and adapt to this historic crisis,” said Administrator Guzman was inspired to see the creativity and resilience these companies have shown firsthand with the help and support of their neighbors, communities, and the American people. My heartfelt thanks go to Mayor Durkan for her incredible, warm welcome and the small business owners who opened their doors for us and shared their stories. Our SBA team continues to use all the resources we have to ensure that every small business has what it takes to weather this storm and lead the way as America continues to build better. “

The story goes on

Mayor Jenny Durkan joined Administrator Guzman to begin her Seattle visit with a tour of small businesses along Rainier Avenue. They visited Rose Street Auto Repair, Beach Bakery, Balageru International Mart, and Life’s Salon, all paycheck protection program (PPP) recipients. Administrator Guzman also participated in Mayor Durkan’s announcement about the Small Business Stabilization Fund, a new local economic aid program designed to help Seattle businesses survive and thrive as they move to a new economy after the tour.

Later, Administrator Guzman visited Washington Machine Works, a local manufacturing company that has been providing full machining services to the government and industry since 1985. Washington Machine Works also received COVID relief from the Paycheck Protection Program and the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL.). ). With this support, the company was able to employ employees and get supplies to the industries it supports. After visiting Ventures, a Seattle-based nonprofit that provides resources for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs, Administrator Guzman ended the day with a stop at the historic Pike Place Market.

The administrator ended her trip to Seattle with a fireside chat hosted by the Amazon Accelerate Conference to discuss digital opportunities, the role of e-commerce, and more relevant topics and opportunities for small businesses in 2021.

This is the Administrator’s first visit to Washington State. As of June, Administrator Guzman has visited 16 states and US territories, including Puerto Rico.

###

Via the US Small Business Administration

The US Small Business Administration is making the American entrepreneurship dream come true. As the single point of contact and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start their business, grow, or expand, or escape from a declared disaster . It provides services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To find out more, visit www.sba.gov.

Attachments

CONTACT: United States Small Business Administration Press Office press_office@sba.gov