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Small Business/Economic Development
"There is no doubt that El Paso is one of the top places for business. We have a talented and hard working labor force and the entrepreneurial spirit that makes America great." Congressman Silvestre Reyes
Congressman Reyes supports legislation and efforts to aid El Paso businesses and secured substantial federal funding for Fort Bliss and other El Paso projects which provide contracting opportunities for local firms. With a diverse labor force, binational ties with Mexico and world class work ethic, El Paso is ranked by Forbes as the top mid-size city for jobs in the 2011 "Best Cities for Jobs” list. 
Growing El Paso Small Businesses
Procurement Center Representative - Small businesses are a critical driver in El Paso's economy, and Congressman Reyes has worked to bring needed federal resources to the region to give these firms the tools they need to succeed. Congressman Reyes secured an El Paso-based Procurement Center Representative (PCR) to help area small businesses compete for the billions of dollars in federal contracts. Previously, small business owners had to rely on the PCR based in Albuquerque for help.
Veteran Owned Businesses - Congressman Reyes is a host of the annual Veteran's Business Conference at EPCC. The event, which has featured guest speakers including Veterans Committee Chair Bob Filner, highlights business opportunities for El Paso veterans. For his work, Congressman Reyes was honored as the Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year for 2011 by the Small Business Administration.
Empowerment Zone and HubZone - Congressman Reyes worked with community leaders to secure the designation of El Paso as an Empowerment Zone and has partnered with the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to aggressively reach out to historically underutilized businesses. This resulted in certification of more businesses per capita as HUB (Historically underutilized businesses) than any city in Texas, and in the past year a total of $27,198,013 in federal contracts have been awarded to El Paso small businesses, with $936,201,764 awarded to El Paso businesses.
Fort Bliss Contracting - Congressman Reyes, working with local chambers of commerce, Fort Bliss, and the Army Corps of Engineers, is fighting to ensure El Paso small businesses are able to take advantage of federal small business programs and are prepared to capitalize on opportunities associated with the Fort Bliss expansion. Hundreds of El Paso companies that have benefitted from the growth of Fort Bliss expansion, both as sub-contractors and also as prime contractors. A total of $178,276,586 has been awarded to El Paso companies in prime contracts with a total $924,574,246 in subcontracts, including $101,070,016 in small business subcontracts.
Fighting for Small Business on Capitol Hill
Congressman Reyes supported the American Reinvestment Recovery Act which included $15 billion in tax relief for small business owners in El Paso and across the nation. The measure increases expensing limits, extends the carry back period for New Operating Losses from 2 to 5 years, delays the 3 percent withholding tax on payments to government contractors, provides relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax, and establishes tax credits for small business hiring.
In 2007, Congressman introduced the 8(a) Modernization Act to increase 8(a) net worth limits and expand the size of government contracts available to 8(a) businesses, including 90 8(a) firms located in El Paso. His bill was included in the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act and passed by the House of Representatives.
Congressman Reyes fought to preserve the Small Business Administration's 7(j) small business lending program and supported the Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act, which repealed some reporting requirements for small businesses.
Press Releases
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Congressman Reyes, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce to Lead 16th Annual Border Issues Conference
9.18.2012
Press Releases
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Reyes Echoes President Obama‘s Message on Blueprint for an America Built to Last
1.25.2012
Press Releases
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Reyes to deliver opening remarks at "Building Towards the Future"
8.10.2011
Press Releases
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CENSUS RANKS EL PASO #1 IN THE NATION FOR THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF HISPANIC-OWNED BUSINESSES
9.29.2010
Press Releases
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U.S. Economic Development Administration awards $1.2 million to the City of El Paso to help plan for BRAC-related growth
9.21.2010
More Documents...
Related Files:
Veterans Business Conference 2010
Floor speech on the Small Business Contracting Improvement Act of 2007
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