Economy & Jobs (Small Business)
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More on Economy & Jobs (Small Business)
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata has taken part in an oversight letter this week from the leadership of the House Committee on Small Business to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza on ways to continue improving the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and advance program. The letter was signed by both Democrats and Republicans, including Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez of New York and Ranking Member Steve Chabot of Ohio. Amata is Vice Ranking Member.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said this week's update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs continues to show more American Samoa businesses getting much-needed aid. The combined total is now 174 loans, another one week increase of 20 approvals, making the new sum $9,695,780 — that's up another million from last week's $8,654,566.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata is provided a summary of the changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) since President Trump signed the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act into law Friday.
"Congress listened to the input of small businesses," said Aumua Amata, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business. "These changes are now law, and give employers more time and more options in using their assistance."
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to give more flexibility to small businesses as they use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance, which is helping over 130 employers in American Samoa so far. The House already passed the bill, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, so it will become law with the President's signature.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a CARES Act grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of about $800,000 ($796,914) for housing-related programs.
HUD, led by Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, has now announced several CARES Act allocations for American Samoa and was the first agency to do so immediately after the CARES Act became law March 27.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said the weekly update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs once again shows new loans for American Samoa. The combined total is now 154 loans, a weekly increase of 19, for a new sum of $8,654,566 helping the private economy of American Samoa.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said the weekly update from the Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to show steady progress for American Samoa. Local employers have now successfully acquired 120 loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) totaling over $6.6 million — an increase of 20 loans over the previous week. Combined with SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program, the total is 135 approvals and $8.1 million for the local economy.
Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced she is the original cosponsor of the bipartisan Protecting Paychecks and Employees (PPE) Act, introduced Friday with Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa-01), who sponsored the bill in response to concerns expressed by small businesses.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a weekly update from the Small Business Administration (SBA) that the American Samoan employers have now successfully acquired 100 loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) totaling over $6 million.
"I appreciate the efforts by our business community reflected by these loans," said Aumua Amata. "This assistance can keep our businesses planning for the future despite the restricted economy."
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and the Committee on Small Business held a forum with a panel of lenders to conduct oversight and examine the Small Business Administration's implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
"The Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program continues to provide vital help to the country's small businesses," said Aumua Amata, who serves as Vice Ranking Member on the Committee. "Unfortunately, the first round largely went to the swift — the well-banked, and ‘larger' small businesses."