Congresswoman Angie Craig Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Mentorship Program

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig introduced the SCORE for Small Business Act of 2019, a bill to make sure SCORE, a resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is an optimal partner for entrepreneurs across the country.

"Small business are the economic engines of our communities," said Rep. Angie Craig. "Each small business starts with an idea, and it's the resources like a robust mentorship program that can help to turn ideas into thriving businesses that sustain families, provide jobs and bring a sense of community to our neighborhoods."

Over the past two years, SCORE volunteers trained more than 60,000 clients and helped launch more than 54,000 new businesses. Rep. Craig's bill, which comes after an oversight hearing into the program, will hold SCORE more accountable while ensuring it can continue its mission by expanding to better serve rural areas, disadvantaged communities, and traditionally underserved communities and increasing volunteers by recognizing current and retired entrepreneurs and business professionals as mentors.

"Combining mentorship and training, the SCORE program is built upon a network of volunteers who use their vast business experience to help new entrepreneurs follow their dreams. The SCORE for Small Business Act of 2019 was crafted after careful consideration and hearings and makes commonsense reforms to the program that will strengthen performance and accountability," said Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY). "I am pleased to support this bill and I applaud my colleagues Rep. Craig and Rep. Hern for their leadership on improving the SCORE program."

Rep. Craig serves on the Small Business Committee, where she works tirelessly to make sure every local entrepreneur has the resources they need to be successful.