SBA administrator touts bipartisan infrastructure law

from U.S. Small Business Administration

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, visited New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, to meet with small business owners and to promote how the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure law will bring communities together to build a better America. Administrator Guzman kicked off her visit with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker at Atticus Book Store and Café and later met with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont at Meriden Sewage Treatment Plant.

“It was a privilege to see firsthand the grit, resilience, and fortitude of Connecticut’s small business owners and workers as we work to Build a Better America,” Guzman said. “Under President (Joe) Biden’s leadership, the bipartisan infrastructure law is set to deliver historic new investments in America’s economy and our most critical systems, creating more contracting opportunities for our entrepreneurs. My thanks to Gov. Lamont and his team for simplifying access to procurement so more Connecticut small and disadvantaged businesses can stand ready to help build America’s next great economy—one that creates more good jobs and lifts up more families and communities.”

After breakfast with Mayor Elicker, the administrator stopped by the historic Shubert Theater, a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant recipient. While there, she met with Anthony McDonald, Shubert Theatre CEO, and toured the facility to see how SBA’s economic relief funding helped the venue save jobs and weather the pandemic. 

Guzman also toured a series of New Haven pizza spots throughout the day, including Modern Apizza, Frank Pepe Pizzeria, and Sally’s Apizza. She met with owners and staff at each restaurant to hear about their experience during the height of the pandemic and to discuss the SBA’s impact on the recovery of America’s small businesses. 

To conclude her trip to Connecticut, the Administrator met with Lamont, where they discussed the implementation of the infrastructure bill in Connecticut, how SBA programs have assisted the state’s economic growth and the benefits of Biden’s Build Back Better Act.

Cabinet-level officials are traveling the country to discuss how the historic provisions of the infrastructure bill will bring communities together and equitably invest in our country’s infrastructure and significantly improve the lives of the American people.

The trip marks Guzman’s first visit to Connecticut since her confirmation. Since June, Guzman has visited 21 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov .