Congressman Troy Carter Recognizes Small Firms, Vows to Fight for Equitable Recovery During Small Business Week

NEW ORLEANS, LA. – This week, the United States is celebrating its longstanding history of supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship through National Small Business Week. To mark the occasion, Congressman Troy A. Carter, a member of the House Committee on Small Business, paid tribute to the vital role that small businesses play in the nation’s economy.

“For over 50 years, our country has come together during small business week to celebrate the entrepreneurs and firms that help make our communities special,” said Congressman Carter. “This year in Louisiana, we are also celebrating the small firms who have been through COVID and Hurricane Ida. Thanks to the Biden administration's economic policies and support provided by Congress, small businesses have come a long way from the lows of the pandemic. However, we aren’t out of the woods yet. I will continue to work to advance policies that support small businesses."

Small businesses help make up the foundation of the country’s economy, with over half of Americans owning or working for a small business. There are over 150,000 employees of small businesses in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. As the driving force behind our economy, it is crucial that the government take action to support small businesses as they recover from this crisis.

This year, National Small Business Week takes place as many businesses are still working to recover from the pandemic. In 2020, COVID closed more businesses than any other year in America's history.

Now, small businesses in southeast Louisiana are facing more challenges following Hurricane Ida, but Congressman Carter is pushing to help the state’s recovery include local and diverse businesses. Last week, Congressman Carter sent a letter to FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting that business contracting efforts made in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida include full participation by minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses.

“America’s small businesses are as diverse as its citizens,” said Congressman Carter. “These ventures have a unique role in bolstering both local communities and the national economy. Efforts to support and recognize historically underutilized businesses should always be implemented, and the need to do so is greater in the aftermath of a disaster. Far too often we have seen local, minority-owned businesses do the actual work of a contract but get paid pennies. Giving our small and local businesses an opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of their own community is key to a strong recovery and stronger communities. It’s one of the surest ways we can build back better.”

President Joe Biden has recognized the importance of small, local business involvement in federal contracting. In June, he directed federal agencies to increase contracting with businesses that fall in the category of disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE). The Congressman says that this move is step in the right direction.

“My district is home to around 12,000 small business owners who have been with our community every step of the way during these intersecting crises,” said Congressman Carter. “I’ll keep up the fight to get small businesses and entrepreneurs the resources they need to weather the storms of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida.”

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This year, National Small Business Week takes place from September 13th to September 15th. The SmallBusiness Administration (SBA) will hold a virtual conference featuring events and workshops highlighting the impacts of entrepreneurs and small businesses in all fifty states.