August 20, 2017

Duckworth Hosts Small Business Development Workshop to Promote Regional Economic Growth

 

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a small business development workshop Tuesday in conjunction with the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) to provide tips, tools and best practices for nearly 75 small business owners. Duckworth also discussed how investments in infrastructure, education and small business development can help create jobs and expand economic opportunities for hardworking families in Illinois. A photo of the workshop can be found here.

"If we want to create new economic opportunities for working families, we are going to need to make it easier for local businesses to get off the ground," said Duckworth. "Supporting small businesses will not only help encourage economic growth and create jobs - which is especially important in our nation's underserved communities - but it will also help move us towards economic justice. I will continue working with advocates, small business owners and federal, state and local officials to ensure every American has the opportunity to start a business and achieve their American dream."

At the workshop, Duckworth also announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded up to $125,000 in grant funding under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program to support the efforts of the Illinois's Women's Business Development Center, one of the panelists at Tuesday's workshop. The FAST Program is designed to encourage economic development to science and technology-driven small businesses, with a focus on supporting women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged firms.

"I'm proud to announce this new infusion of federal funding to Illinois's Women's Business Development Center which will go a long way in supporting their important work helping provide women business owners in Illinois with the tools and resources they need to succeed," said Duckworth.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Duckworth is working in the Senate to expand economic opportunity and revitalize economies in communities around the state that have been ignored by many for too long. By working to increase investments in infrastructure, education programs and minority- and women-owned businesses, Duckworth seeks to support working families across Illinois, increase access to jobs and help provide community wealth that will stabilize neighborhoods struggling for a brighter future.