Small Business

Small businesses have always been the true engine of economic growth in challenging times and have helped power the country out of every recession in our history. Unfortunately, small businesses are suffering from an uncertain economic climate, an overly complex tax code, and the accelerating cost of health benefits. They are also having difficulty accessing the capital needed to make new hires and invest in new equipment. Large businesses and banks maintain huge cash reserves, but are waiting to see a consistent economic recovery before investing in workers and small businesses again. By enacting tax and regulatory relief, as well as improving access to capital for small businesses, we can help small businesses lead our way into a sustainable and lasting recovery.

Looking for common sense approaches to help small businesses grow and add jobs again, Congressman Schiff has supported legislation to enact tax deductions that can be used for start-up expenses, eliminate payroll taxes for new hires, and to do away with capital gains taxes for the purchase of small business stock. As a cosponsor of President Obama’s American Jobs Act that was presented to Congress in September 2011, Schiff has pushed for immediate Congressional action to solve the jobs crisis. Through temporarily cutting payroll taxes on small businesses, allowing businesses to deduct investments in new plants and equipment and investing in America’s decaying infrastructure in the form of new schools, mass transit, and revitalized neighborhoods, the American Jobs Act held the promise of being a good start towards getting the nation back on track. Despite having bipartisan support in past and being fully paid for, the policies in American Jobs Act were not supported by the Republican majority and little to no action was taken. Undeterred, Schiff continues to push for small business support and relief so they can once again serve as the cornerstone to lifting our nation out of economic hardship.

Schiff also supports the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts to provide certainty to 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses.  He has sponsored H.R. 15, which would extend tax cuts for all Americans on income up to $250,000.

Small Business Resources

The Small Business Administration (SBA), anindependent federal government agency, aids, counsels, assists and protects the interests of small business concerns, and works to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA provides a variety of support services to small businesses. Visit the SBA on the web or contact the Los Angeles District Office for information on accessing capital, SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, technical assistance and training, and many other programs and services.

Local Contact Information:

330 North Brand
Suite 1200
Glendale, CA 91203
Phone: 818-552-3201

Website: www.sba.gov

S.C.O.R.E. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.  The Los Angeles Chapter of SCORE has over 60 volunteers that provide free counseling services at over 20 locations throughout Los Angeles County. Counseling is available both by appointment at chambers of commerce and other organizations, and on a walk-in basis at the Glendale SCORE main office.  Please visit SCORE on the web for small businesses resources – from business plan templates to an overview of the various types of business structures.

Local Contact Information:

330 N. Brand Boulevard
Suite 190
Glendale, CA 91203
Phone: 818-552-3206

Website: www.scorela.org

Small Business Development Centers

The Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network is part of the nationwide SBDC program. More than 1.3 million businesses take advantage of SBDC management advising, education, and instruction every year. Federal, state and local funding enable SBDCs to provide low-cost and no-cost seminars and workshops on a wide variety of subjects such as: business plans, incorporation, capital sourcing, marketing, contracting, procurement, and technology. Additionally, business advisors are available by appointment to meet at your place of business.

Local Contact Information:

Pacific Coast Regional
3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1501-3447
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: 213-674-2696                                             

Website: www.pcrcorp.org                        

Women’s Business Centers

Women’s Business Centers provides women, especially those who are economically or socially disadvantaged, comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.

Local Contact Information:

Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment              

1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-353-3982  

Website:  www.pacela.org

Little Tokyo Service Center 

231 East Third Street, Suite G-106
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-473-1605

Website: www.ltsc.org

Valley Economic Development Center

5121 Van Nuys Blvd, 3rd Fl.
Van Nuys, CA 91403
Phone: 818-907-9977

Website: www.vedc.org