If you are a small business owner, you may want to view Senator Levin's Small Business Resource Guide. This resource guide of useful small business websites is intended to assist small business owners find resources and help establish and run successful enterprises.

Senator Levin has always been a strong advocate for the interests of Michigan small businesses. As a senior member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, he understands that small business is the heart of America’s economic strength and job creation.

Small business is vital to Michigan and an important source of new jobs in our state. Ninety-eight percent of Michigan businesses are small businesses. Small businesses employ over 51 percent of Michigan’s 3.8 million non-farm employees.

Senator Levin has supported tax legislation that is favorable to small businesses. He supported a provision that would have tripled the amount of investments that small businesses can immediately write-off; and he introduced an amendment that would have increased that amount by an additional $7,500. Senator Levin also supported a provision that would have provided small businesses with a 50 percent tax credit to help them maintain health coverage for their workers.

One of the biggest hurdles facing small business entrepreneurs is finding the capital to get started, expand, or just stay in business.  One of the most important things the SBA does is to help make sure small businesses have access to credit.  To encourage commercial banks to lend to small businesses, the SBA's 7(a) loan program guarantees a portion of the loan, making the loans more attractive for banks and allowing small companies to get loans they otherwise could not secure.  Other SBA programs provide counseling and technical assistance services to small businesses ranging from assistance in writing a business plan, marketing and securing credit.

Senator Levin has worked to increase the amount of SBA government-guaranteed loans.  He was successful in including in the Department of Defense authorization bill legislation to reauthorize the highly successful Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for two years. The SBIR program, which was due to expire on September 30, 2008, gives small high-technology companies access to federal research and development dollars and, in turn, gives the federal government access to some of the world’s best innovation.  Unfortunately, the House Small Business Committee and Science & Technology committees killed the provision in conference.  Senator Levin will continue to work to get the SBIR program reauthorized.  Senator Levin also supports programs for women-owned businesses, specifically through the Women's Business Centers, and has worked to increase government procurement for women-owned small businesses.

Senator Levin organized letters with Senate colleagues to request that the FY2008 and FY2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act provide $23 million for the SBA’s Microloan Program.  The SBA Microloan Program is a vital source of financial and technical support to self-employed entrepreneurs and small businesses in Michigan and other states and Senator Levin strongly advocated for its continued funding.

The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee passed a three-year reauthorization bill that over time increases SBA's lending programs to meet growing demand. Senator Levin authored a provision included in the bill establishing a Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program to address the needs of expanding small businesses.

This pilot lending program is aimed at businesses that need loans larger than those available under the SBA Microloan Program, but for a variety of reasons – including lack of sufficient or conventional collateral – are unable to secure through conventional lenders the credit they need at the terms they need. Senator Levin’s proposal helps start-up and expanding small businesses create jobs, including jobs for low-income individuals. Unfortunately, the House did not act on that bill and it died at the end of the 109th Congress.  Senator Levin reintroduced the bill in the 110th Congress and it is included in this the Committee-passed SBA reauthorization bill which had not become law by the end of the 110th Congress.  Senator Levin will continue to work to get this provision enacted.

Senator Levin also authored a provision for disaster relief for small business concerns damaged by drought, including those small businesses hurt by low-water levels on the Great Lakes. That provision has become law.

To try to push these issues to the fore, at a 2006 Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing, Senator Levin included in the committee hearing record numerous testimonials and letters from small businesses across Michigan that provide specific examples of how SBA programs helped them start or grow their businesses. In 2008, Senator Levin met, at his request, with the head of the SBA to discuss the need to enhance the SBA’s credit programs in Michigan, such as SBA’s 7(a) loan guaranty program and the microloan program.

Visit the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee website >