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Chairman Chabot Says Congress Must Approve Changes to Program

WASHINGTON – House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) today expressed concern that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has failed to improve a federal program that aids small business development in economically distressed areas. Chairman Chabot also admonished the SBA that Congress and the Committee must approve all changes to the Historically Underutilized Business Zone or “HUBZone” program in order to ensure it is working as intended.

“The HUBZone program cannot fulfill its mission if the opportunities provided by these incentives are being taken by companies that don’t actually qualify for the program,” said Chairman Chabot in his opening statement. “The HUBZone program is intended to help these small businesses, but can only succeed if the program is run in way that actually helps the areas most in need.”

“It is crucial, however, that any efforts to alter or expand the program are made by working through Congress and with this Committee. Actions that could change how the program has been run, or how effective the program will be, must be done out in the open, with the public debate afforded by the People’s branch,” added Chabot.

After the hearing concluded, Chairman Chabot said “The SBA’s actions on the HUBZone program have left our Committee with more questions than answers. Our Committee will be evaluating all available options as we move forward in the coming weeks and months to improve this program.”

You can read full testimony from today’s hearing here and watch the full video here.

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