View a Video of Congresswoman Gillibrand's Speech

Washington, DC - Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, passed an amendment today to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Reauthorization [HR 5819] to ensure that at least one veteran-owned small businessperson is included on the newly created SBIR Advisory Board."

"By including a veteran-owned small-businessperson on the Advisory Board, the federal government will ensure that the criteria used to award small business grants will include areas that our veterans have expertise in, such as communications networking, security logistics, and other skills that have been uniquely acquired through military service," said Congresswoman Gillibrand.

HR 5819 expands the successful Small Business Innovation Research grant program which has provided grants to small high tech businesses that have developed some of the nations most cutting-edge products. New York small businesses have received over $909 million in SBIR grants since 1983. The bill that Congresswoman Gillibrand voted for today will expand the amount of money available to small businesses and reduces the current barriers that keep small tech companies from participating.

"During this economic downturn, it is even more important that we invest in our small businesses because small businesses account for over 99% of U.S. employersâ€Â said Congresswoman Gillibrand. "I am extremely pleased that the Hudson Valley High Tech Corridor will directly benefit from the expansion of SBIR grants since these businesses are the heart of our regional economy," said Gillibrand.