Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

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% of Michigan’s 3.8 million non-farm employees.

Senator Levin has long worked to help small businesses thrive and expand so they can create jobs and grow the economy. In 2010, he helped craft the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act, which addressed one of the most serious problems facing small businesses: access to sufficient capital. Among the provisions of the bill was one Senator Levin helped author providing support to state and local programs that help small businesses deal with the collateral requirements. The provision builds on a successful Michigan program, and it will make available an estimated $790 million in loans to Michigan small businesses.  The act included a provision Senator Levin authored – the Intermediary Lending Pilot Program – to provide loans to small businesses that have financing needs of between $50,000 and $200,000 but are unable to secure bank financing.

Senator Levin will continue to look for ways to strengthen support for small businesses, including providing support for important Small Business Administration loan programs.

For more information on Senator Levin's work on small businesses, visit the job creation, labor and economy issues page.