July 8, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Jerry McNerney (CA-11) and Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) jointly championed legislative language to ensure that small businesses in the Central Valley have access to available federal research and development funds.  The language is based on amendments offered by Congressmen McNerney and Cardoza and was included in the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009, which passed the House today by a vote of 386-41. 

“I want to make sure that small businesses in the Central Valley have the opportunity to compete for the research and development grants that this bill funds,” said Rep. McNerney.  “I was pleased to work with my colleague, Congressman Cardoza, to ensure that the area we represent has access to these opportunities.  During these tough economic times, it’s more important than ever that small businesses in the Central Valley have every chance to succeed.”  

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” said Congressman Cardoza.  “It is imperative that we provide them with the support they need in order to thrive and begin to help pull ourselves out of this recession.  The Central Valley has been among the hardest hit regions in the United States.  This legislation, supported by myself and Rep. McNerney, is a means of ensuring that those most in need are assured of receiving the most assistance.”

The Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009 modernizes and funds the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, both of which are administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Since 1992, the SBA has awarded 65,000 grants through these programs to small companies that are conducting research in fields such as health care and energy technology.

The provisions championed by Congressmen McNerney and Cardoza allow the Small Business Administration to prioritize outreach for these grants to areas that have an unemployment rate that exceeds the national average.  This change ensures that small businesses throughout the Central Valley will have the information and support needed to access these grants.