Juliet Fang
Northwest Asia Weekly
Administrator Guzman talks with Governor Jay Inslee about federal and state efforts to help retail and other hard-hit small businesses like restaurants, such as the London Plane in Pioneer Square, where they toured and met with the general manager Yasuaki D Saito. (Image courtesy of SBA)
Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), visited Seattle last week to discuss what the recent federal infrastructure bill and business relief funding means for Seattle small business owners .
Guzman’s visit comes at a time when rising interest rates and high inflation pose major challenges for small businesses. Policies to help small businesses—especially those owned by Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and BIPOC—are critical to helping them stay afloat. Examples of such efforts include the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, “the largest federal public transportation investment in American history,” according to the Federal Transit Administration.
“Part of the ongoing battle against inflationary pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic are revenue growth opportunities that can help small businesses strengthen their balance sheets,” Guzman said.
“Bipartisan infrastructure laws will allow us to build roads and bridges in Seattle, creating more opportunities for workers and businesses, while promoting broadband solutions, such as ensuring more small businesses have high-speed internet, and continuing to embrace e-commerce and social media marketing Strategy. We want small businesses to be digitally ready and grow their platforms.”
Another aspect of Administrator Guzman’s visit was a discussion of the Washington Commerce Department’s fifth round of “Washington Jobs” grants, which will award $70 million to small businesses and organizations impacted by the pandemic. Guzman noted that such grants, along with policies such as the U.S. rescue package, help stabilize the economy and create jobs. While small businesses have struggled during the pandemic, many have continued to pursue “America’s business ownership game,” even contributing to what Guzman calls a “small business boom.”
“For many of our small businesses, the past few years have been a game of constant adjustment and adaptation to survive. Through our program, we try to help them have strong balance sheets, supplier relationships, and a good workforce strategy to Retain and hire employees.”
Administrator Guzman at a roundtable discussion at Boon Boona Coffee with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and SBA PNW District Administrator Mike Fong. Small business owner Rosalinda Mendoza of Mocel Mezcal, Efrem Fesaha of Boon Boona Coffee (top left) and Jaebadiah Gardner of Gardner Global, Inc. (top right) were also in attendance. (Image courtesy of SBA)
However, in places like Seattle, where many small businesses are run by AAPI and BIPOC individuals, there are unique cultural challenges in ensuring equitable access to such programs. For example, some people may not speak or read English or even know how to apply for federal and state aid. Therefore, listening to the specific needs of underserved communities and developing ways to distribute funds equitably remains a top priority for the SBA.
“Diverse communities face historical barriers and challenges to survive and thrive. That’s why many of our relief grant applications are available in a minimum of 17 core languages and a maximum of 27. We also focus on partnering with local organizations to help underserved populations , to make sure they know what items are available to them.
One person responsible for connecting the AAPI community in Seattle with the SBA is Regional Administrator Mike Fong. With the help of Seattle volunteers, he has greatly increased the SBA’s presence in the AAPI community through roundtable discussions with small businesses. These smaller groups are more accessible to many AAPI small business owners in Seattle and make them feel “safe,” said Ellen Abellera, chair of the Community Concern Committee and liaison between the SBA and the Filipino community in Seattle.
“I’m delighted that people like Mike Fong have been chosen to help our community,” said Abellera. “It’s so hard, people feel like they can relate to [Mike] Because he knows the Asian American community personally. During our discussions, business owners can communicate their needs effectively and know in their hearts that someone will help them. “
“Cultural competency is very important in the application process such as grants or aid. SBA is helping to make that happen.”
YP Chan is a businessman and liaison between the SBA and the Seattle Chinese community, also helping to bridge the gap between the SBA and small business owners.
“For the AAPI community, having [Mike Fong] Help SBA work with AAPI small business owners in government. We’ve been able to hold roundtables on how the Chinese are being affected by COVID-19 and anti-Asian sentiment, and others on exports. “
“People from Washington, D.C. can hear our concerns, perspectives and difficulties exporting outside the U.S. and what our plans are if we can export globally,” Chen said. “Our voices were heard.”
Mipo Seto, president of the Seattle chapter of the Global Chinese Business Women’s Federation, agreed with Chan, noting that the SBA workshop helped inform Seattle’s AAPI business owners where and how to get relief funds to “turn to [their] surrounding businesses. “
These invaluable face-to-face interactions with underserved communities and current federal efforts to support small businesses help Admin Guzman be optimistic about the future of small business in America.
“I’m very hopeful,” Guzman said. “Small businesses have shown us their incredible courage and determination during this difficult time. There is a growing interest in local economic development and corporate philanthropy to ensure our small businesses are sustainable as they create three two out of ten net new jobs.”
“For consumers, buying local and supporting small independent businesses is key to ensuring the dollar circulates to support local jobs and the local economy. We need to keep our small businesses alive. They are the ones that make the products and services we really rely on people.”
For more information about the SBA and how small business owners can access federal and state funding, visit sba.gov. Alternatively, please contact SBA’s main Seattle regional office at (206) 553-7310.
Juliet can reach info@nwasianweekly.com.
