Economy & Jobs (Small Business)

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is providing an update on federal oversight of the CARES Act and other economic relief funds. This information includes the process, federal requirements for these funds, and contact information to report any waste, fraud or abuse of such funding.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata provided a weekly update on the continuing growth in Small Business Administration (SBA) economic aid for American Samoa's small businesses and nonprofits.

The total increased by about $2.6 million to $17,810,411. That includes 321 combined loans from two programs, and 189 emergency advances at an average of $5,613 per advance.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed congressional action to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through August 8, 2020, to help small businesses.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said a surge in reports from the Small Business Administration (SBA) showed a weekly rise in assistance for American Samoa's small businesses and nonprofits.

The total increased by $3 million to $15,226,818. That includes 287 combined loans from two programs and 162 emergency advances, at an average of $5,580 per advance.

"This money goes right into the local economy," said Aumua Amata. "These funds are uniquely helpful because of the way they go directly to small businesses and nonprofits."

Pago Pago – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is reminding small businesses that the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is just days away on June 30th.

"Any businesses that still want to access PPP must act right away," said Aumua Amata. "If so, talk to a lender immediately."

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata provided a weekly update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs for American Samoa, and said the combined total is now $12.2 million. That total is now 226 loans in two programs along with 132 emergency advances for a new sum of $12,259,865 in assistance. This includes both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program, to which SBA helpfully broadened access this week.

Pago Pago – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata spoke remotely to the Territory's group examining broadband strategy, and announced she is cosponsoring legislation that would support cybersecurity, and fund a $750 million national grant program toward the eventual deployment and use of widespread 5G Networks.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcomed a decision by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to broaden access to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, reopening the program to eligible small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19 business losses. Congresswoman Amata called for this action in a letter last week along with other leaders of the House Small Business Committee. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced the expanded access to EIDL late Monday.