(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) joined Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) in testifying at a hearing of Assembly Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration. At yesterday’s hearing, Cervantes and Quirk-Silva discussed the inclusion of a budget request of $20 million for small business technical assistance.
“I am proud to stand alongside Assemblymember Quirk-Silva in championing funding for California’s small businesses,” said Assemblymember Cervantes. “Small businesses are the cornerstone of California’s economy, and it is critical to ensure that small businesses have the necessary resources to be successful in leveraging state dollars. The technical assistance centers that would benefit from this funding will support our women, minority, and veteran owned small businesses.”
“Let us be absolutely sure we are providing a good deal for the real job creators in California – our small businesses,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “This $20 million will be provided through grants to Small Business Development Centers, and other federally-designated small business assistance centers. As the 6th largest economy in the world, California must remain competitive as a national and global leader by supporting small businesses, job growth, and the infrastructure on which it relies.”
With this funding request, and Assembly Bill 2463, Assemblymembers Cervantes and Quirk-Silva seek to help California businesses develop by establishing the Small Business Assistance Program. The program would provide matching funds to federally designated small business assistance centers, particularly to those committed to assisting businesses operated by veterans, women, and minorities. Research shows small businesses that receive quality business assistance are more likely to succeed, create jobs, and strengthen the economic viability of the neighborhood in which they are located.
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Sabrina Cervantes proudly represents the 60th District of the California State Assembly, which encompasses the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and a portion of the City of Riverside.