Shaheen Hosts Roundtable with NH Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs to Highlight Local Resources Available

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Shaheen hears more about the impact of New Hampshire Small Business Development Centers from Granite State small business owners during today’s roundtable discussion 

(Durham, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hosted a roundtable discussion at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) highlighting resources available for local entrepreneurs as they recover from the pandemic and grow their businesses. She partnered with representatives from New Hampshire Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which have provided crucial advising services to help Granite State entrepreneurs navigate challenges around operating their small businesses by facilitating partnerships between higher education institutions, state and local economic development organizations, businesses and government. During the event, Shaheen was joined by the State Director and Associate State Director of NH SBDC, the UNH Peter T. Paul College Dean as well as representatives from Granite State businesses that have received assistance through SBDCs. 

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations and Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees, Shaheen has fought for funding for Small Business Development Centers to connect businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with the counseling, training and help they need to weather this crisis. ? 

“As our small businesses continue their recovery from this pandemic, local counseling and resources have never been more important. New Hampshire Small Business Development Centers have played an integral role in the growth and success of our state’s small businesses through the valuable guidance and mentorship they provide to local entrepreneurs – especially throughout COVID-19,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m grateful for today’s meeting with NHSBDC and Granite State business owners to highlight the importance of SBDCs, and as a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I’ll continue to fight for federal resources support our New Hampshire small businesses.” 

The roundtable discussion can be heard here. 

Shaheen?has worked to provide small businesses with the resources they need to weather and recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She helped lead?negotiations on provisions in?the?Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act?that was signed into law last March?to assist small businesses. She also established the Paycheck Protection Program and expanded the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program in the?CARES Act. Both of these programs have been lifelines for businesses throughout New Hampshire and the country. To date, over 40,000 New Hampshire small businesses and non-profits have received over $3.6 billion in PPP assistance. In March, President Biden signed into law the PPP Extension Act of 2021, legislation authored by Senators Shaheen, Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to help small employers retain access to forgivable PPP loans. Last week, Shaheen helped reintroduce bipartisan legislation with Senator Rubio (R-FL) that would protect America’s small businesses from the threats of cyber-crimes by establishing a training program for SBDCs to prepare counselors in cyber planning assistance.