Entrepreneurs urge Congress to support small businesses

In a recent effort to amplify the voice of small businesses, Lori Ann Clark, co-owner of Danville Signal Processing, traveled from Cannon Falls, Minnesota, to Washington, D.C. as part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices program. This initiative gathered 60 entrepreneurs from rural communities, including five representatives from Minnesota, aiming to address persistent challenges that small businesses face, particularly regarding access to funding and resources necessary for growth. They specifically called for legislative action to modify and improve loan programs backed by the Small Business Administration. During their visit, the group had the opportunity to meet with key policymakers, including SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Clark noted that one of the significant hurdles they encounter is the stringent requirements surrounding loans, which need to be made easier for banks to issue, even though they are guaranteed by the SBA. The entrepreneurs emphasized the urgent need for changes to better support small businesses' financing capabilities. Furthermore, the participants addressed additional pressing issues such as workforce challenges, affordable childcare access, and burdensome regulations that inhibit business growth. The conversations held during this trip reflect a broader concern that entrepreneurs in rural areas often lack direct access to their elected officials and, as such, struggle to ensure their needs are acknowledged in legislation. In sharing their experiences and needs, Clark and the other entrepreneurs hoped to not only be heard but to inspire tangible actions and commitments from policymakers. They believe that support for small businesses directly correlates with community growth and development, emphasizing the need for assistance in various areas crucial for business sustainability, such as housing and childcare services for employees.