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PLEASE SIGN UP TO RECEIVE FUTURE CONGRESSMAN HOYER SMALL BUSINESS E-NEWSLETTERS. IF YOU DO NOT SIGN UP, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE FUTURE EDITIONS! SIGNING UP WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH UPDATES ABOUT THE CONGRESSMAN’S LATEST ACTIONS TO HELP BUSINESSES IN THE 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, INFORMATION ABOUT WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, UPCOMING BUSINESS EVENTS, AND OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES. Welcome to Congressman Steny Hoyer’s Small Business E-Newsletter! A consistent and strong supporter of the business community in the United States House of Representatives, Congressman Hoyer also maintains close ties to the small businesses of the 5th District. He frequently visits local businesses and chambers of commerce to learn about what they are doing and to hear first hand about the issues that they are facing. Congressman Hoyer and his office can serve as a valuable resource to you and your business. If you are having problems working with the federal government, want to make Congressman Hoyer aware of the issues that your business is dealing with, would like to invite the Congressman to visit your business, or have ideas about how he might be able to help you, please do not hesitate to contact Congressman Hoyer’s staff (Ben Abrams, Small Business Legislative Aide: 202-225-4131 or Terrance Taylor, District Business Outreach: 301-474-0119). Small Business Forums:
This fall Congressman Hoyer hosted two small business forums in the district in conjunction with the United States General Services Administration (GSA). Each of these events featured dozens of representatives from Federal Agencies who provided useful information to the attendees. Congressman Hoyer has received positive feedback from these events and intends to host similar, but more targeted, events in the district in the months ahead.
August 26, 2005 (Read the Press Release) - Congressman Hoyer was joined by GSA, the Andrews Business Alliance, Bowie State University’s Procurement Acquisition Center for Excellence, Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, National Capital Minority Business Opportunity Committee/Prince George’s County EDC, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, Prince George’s Black Chamber of Commerce, and Prince George’s County Board of Trade in organizing the ½ day small business forum. The program included targeted panels on Information Technology opportunities with the Federal Government, GSA’s Leasing Program within the Public Buildings Service, marketing strategies, the procurement process, and other related business issues and an exhibition hall with representatives from over fifteen Federal Agencies Small Business Offices. In all, over a hundred businesses and organizations participated in this event.
September 19, 2005 (Read the Press Release) - Congressman Hoyer hosted a small business conference at theCollegeofSouthern MarylandinLa Plata. The GSA, U.S. Small Business Administration- Baltimore District Office, Charles County Chamber of Commerce, College of Southern Maryland, Embassy Business Complex, Charles County Minority Business Advisory Council, Maryland Small Business Development Center-Southern Region, Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, Minority Business Alliance of St. Mary’s County, and the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce all participated in the Southern Maryland Business event and helped to make it a success. This forum included a half day of panels which covered the Small Business Administration, the GSA Schedule, the Federal Procurement Data System, working with Federal Agencies, small business financing and other related topics and an extensive exhibition hall. Furthermore, this event also included workshops on selling to the Federal Government, working with Prime Contractors, Q & A with Successful Small Business and registering for the Federal Procurement Data System and Central Contractor Registration. Recent legislation that Congressman Hoyer is sponsoring or co- sponsoring that will helpMaryland’s Small Businesses: Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act (H.R. 793)-- A bill to exempt returning seasonal workers from the national H2-B visa cap. This legislation was important to small businesses across Maryland, especially those in the crabbing and landscaping industries. Last spring, Congressman Hoyer helped build support for the Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act in the House of Representatives, which was vital to its successful passage as an amendment to H.R. 1268. It was signed into law on May 11, 2005. Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act of 2005 (H.R. 2073)-- Legislation aimed at lowering health care costs on American small businesses. This bill would provide small businesses with a 50 percent tax credit on employee health care and create qualified pooling arrangements that would reduce the cost of healthcare and make coverage more accessible. The Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act has been referred to a House Committee. The Minority Owned Venture Empowerment (MOVE) Act (H.R. 4474)-- A bill to modernize the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Minority Business Development Program. This legislation splits the program into four phases: technical assistance, developmental, transitional, and post 8(a). Furthermore, it adjusts the current net worth restriction on 8(a) business owners which will allow for greater participation. The MOVE Act has been referred to a House Committee. Hurricane Rebuilding Information: HurricaneContractingInformationCenter-a central point of reference for businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small- and medium-size enterprises, to register for and become aware of federal contracting opportunities in theGulfCoast. http://www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.gov/ Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with the U.S. General Services Administration and other federal agencies to provide a toll-free number to help small businesses learn about hurricane relief efforts, contracting and rebuilding opportunities. 1-800-FED-INFO (800-333-4636) Useful Small Business Websites: Congressman Steny Hoyer- http://hoyer.house.gov/ Central Contractor Registration- http://www.ccr.gov/ Federal Business Opportunities- http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ Federal Procurement Data System- https://www.fpds.gov/ General Services Administration- http://www.gsa.gov Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development- http://www.choosemaryland.org/ MarylandSmall Business Development Center-
http://www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/ (Capitol Region) http://www.sbdchelp.com/ (Southern Region) SBA- http://www.sba.gov/ U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal- http://firstgov.gov/
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