Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted House passage of the Small Business Development Centers Improvements Act, H.R. 4406, which would reauthorize the much-needed SBDC program for four years.

As an original co-sponsor, she joined Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) on this legislative effort, which passed overwhelmingly this week with bipartisan support.

“I appreciate the Small Business Development Center here in American Samoa,” said Aumua Amata. “These centers focus on helping entrepreneurs and our local small businesses. Most of the businesses on the island are small businesses, so we welcome a program that can help show the way to operating successfully.”

Ranking Member Chabot (R-Ohio) welcomed passage of four bipartisan bills from the Small Business Committee. “I thank Vice Ranking Member Amata for her hard work on this bill,” he said upon Committee passage in September. “This legislation will help to streamline the SBA and SBDC processes and reduce programmatic duplication to maximize the program’s impact on America’s small businesses.”

The SBDC program is in every state and territory. American Samoa’s SBDC is a partnership between the Small Business Administration and the American Samoa Community College. The program is based at the college, and includes available business development counseling services.

“We can all support and build up our own neighboring businesses,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to SBDC director Jason Betham and the team, including Catherine Balauro, Talalelei Pu'a, and Margaret Lilomaiava. Thank you to Congressman Golden for his efforts on this important bill.”