Hearings
Rural American Recovery: The Role of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 | 1:00 PM
The Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Development will hold a remote hearing titled: “Rural American Recovery: The Role of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship.” The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 via the Zoom platform (information to be provided).
One in five Americans lives in a rural area and Main Street businesses are the backbone of those communities across the nation. Even before the pandemic, these entrepreneurs faced unique challenges compared to their urban counterparts. Among the top challenges are geographic isolation, inadequate broadband internet service, difficulty in hiring and retaining qualified workers, barriers to capital and reluctance from major industries to provide service in rural areas. Despite these challenges, rural firms continue to innovate, invest in their communities, and drive the economic rebirth after the pandemic but they need support. This hearing will give Members of the Committee the opportunity to hear about the benefits small firms bring to rural communities, difficulties they face, and how the SBA plays a role in supporting them, such as through the Office of Rural Affairs. Hearing Notice Hearing Memo Witnesses Mr. Nathan Ohle Chief Executive Officer Rural Community Assistance Partnership Washington, DC Testimony Ms. Jessica Campos Women's Business Center Director Center for Rural Affairs Lyons, NE Testimony Mr. Brett Challenger Senior Vice President of the Regional Agribusiness Banking Group CoBank Greenwood Village, CO Testimony Owner and President Rangaire Manufacturing Company Cleburne, TX Testimony |
