Hirono Continues to Fight to Protect Federal Funding for Minority-Owned Small Businesses

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today highlighted the importance of federal partnerships and investments in minority-owned small businesses at the third annual Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (NHOA) Business Summit Conference.

“Small businesses have a unique perspective on not only growing their business, but growing our community,” said Senator Hirono. “However, the Trump Administration’s budget proposal threatens the progress we’ve made for all native programs, including minority-owned business. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I will continue to fight to see these programs protected and enacted in a way that supports our local economy.”

Senator Hirono speaks at the 2017 NHOA Business Summit Conference

Senator Hirono recently introduced legislation to extend the federal Historically Underutilized Business Zone Contracting (HUBZone) program for Maui County small businesses and other communities that are set to lose their HUBZone designation. The issue was brought to her attention by the Maui Economic Development Board, and the legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship earlier this month. Absent Congressional action, Maui County is scheduled to lose its HUBZone status in January 2018.

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