WASHINGTON, March 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is proud to announce Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), as the recipient of its 2015 "America's Business Future Award." The award is presented to an individual who has led a national effort to support the growth of American businesses, and whose work will impact our nation's economy for generations to come. Administrator Contreras-Sweet will receive this accolade during the Legislative Summit's "State of Hispanic Small Business Breakfast" on March 26th at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.
"The USHCC is proud to honor Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, an individual who has devoted her life's work to helping entrepreneurs succeed, and today leads the highest federal agency responsible for helping unlock the full potential of American small businesses," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "As SBA Administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet has served as a bridge between America's public and private sector, implementing pragmatic policies, incentivizing responsible lending, and playing a key role in supporting American jobs. The USHCC is proud to have supported her nomination to SBA Administrator, and we look forward to celebrating her achievements at our 2015 Legislative Summit."
Since her nomination by President Barack Obama in January of 2014, Administrator Contreras-Sweet has increased access to capital for small businesses and made the SBA an accessible resource for entrepreneurs. Last year, Contreras-Sweet announced that $83.1 billion dollars in federal contracting had been apportioned to small businesses in one year alone, marking the first time the federal government has met its self-imposed mandate since 2005. Administrator Contreras-Sweet is now urging congress to approve the highest level of funding in SBA history for the 2016 fiscal year, to a total of $21 billion.
"I am proud to receive this recognition from the USHCC and I am grateful for its advocacy on behalf of small businesses. The SBA is committed to honoring its pledge to be more accessible to Americans from all walks of life, and this work would not be possible without the support of organizations like the USHCC," said Administrator Contreras-Sweet. "Hispanic entrepreneurs are invaluable contributors to our country's economy, and the USHCC's work continues to empower this important entrepreneurial force. Together, we are making small business a big deal."
This year's State of Hispanic Small Business Breakfast will convene top entrepreneurs and key elected officials to showcase the economic contributions of Hispanic businesses, and the role the USHCC plays to support business growth, create jobs, and support our nation's resurgent economy. For more information about the USHCC Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., please visit www.ushcclegislative.com.
About the 2015 Legislative Summit
The Legislative Summit is the USHCC's premier advocacy event, offering numerous high-level engagements with leading government officials, training opportunities, workshops, roundtable discussions, procurement matchmaking sessions with federal agencies, and the chance to meet with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill.
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute in excess of $486 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 240 major corporations.
For more information, visit www.ushcc.com
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