April 24, 2008
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Christopher P. Carney passed an amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives that helps small businesses embrace technology and receive grants from the Small Business Administration.
“Small businesses are the heart of America,” said Congressman Carney. “This amendment will increase our technological competitiveness in the global marketplace. I’ve traveled across our district and seen firsthand what technology can do, from the cryogenic lasers at Snake Creek Lasers in Hallstead, PA to Bucknell University’s unmanned ground vehicles. Small businesses are leading the way in our district, and Congress must do all we can to support them.”
Specifically, the amendment would allow the SBA Administrator to view favorably small business grant applicants that utilize accredited Small Business Development Centers. Pennsylvania has 18 accredited Small Business Development Centers, four of which serve the 10th district, including Lock Haven University, Bucknell University, Wilkes University and University of Scranton.
This amendment will help small businesses develop the capacity to deliver technology commercialization services. “All across our district, I have held advisory board meetings with small business owners, who tell me that more needs to be done to keep small businesses on the cutting edge of technology. In tough economic times, we need to be doing everything to support our small businesses. By encouraging FAST grant applicants to embrace new technology, we are keeping our small businesses competitive on the local, regional and national level,” said Carney.
Congressman Carney’s amendment passed unanimously with a voice vote. H.R. 5819, the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization bill passed with a final vote of 368 to 43.
