Small businesses power America's economy. Today, there are over 32.5 million small businesses in the United States, and they need our help more than ever. Support small businesses in your community and shop small throughout the holiday season. Follow the SBA on Twitter, @SBAgov for the latest updates and help spread the word to shop small with the hashtag, #25daysofsmallbiz.

COVID EIDL Applicants: Join SBA's COVID EIDL Application Completion Office Hours for information about the application process and get your questions answered to apply for COVID EIDL funds. For more information about COVID EIDL, visit the SBA website.

• Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. ET Join here
• Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. ET Join here

For over 50 years, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy. Now more than ever, America’s small businesses are leading the way, building back better and helping refuel our economy.

The SBA is currently accepting nominations for its 2022 National Small Business Week Awards, including the Small Business Person of the Year. All nominations must be submitted electronically no later than 3:00 p.m. ET on January 11, 2022. Winners will be announced during National Small Business Week in May 2022.

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SBA-Proposed Reforms to Increase Equity in Federal Buying This week, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman released the following statement applauding major reforms being made by the Biden-Harris Administration to level the playing field for all contracting entrepreneurs through a more equitable federal procurement system and buying strategy: “President Biden issued a powerful challenge in Tulsa earlier this year to harness the buying power of the U.S. government—the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world—to invest in equity and open doors of opportunity to America’s 32.5 million small businesses and innovative startups, including many more underrepresented entrepreneurs and small businesses in underserved communities,” said Administrator Guzman. “Today’s historic release of federal contracting data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and geography, and our corresponding reforms to federal strategic sourcing strategies known ‘category management,’ will help guarantee greater transparency and accountability in federal contracting and put more small businesses in a position to start doing business with the United States government.” Learn more

A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting and managing your business. You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run and grow your new business. During National Write a Business Plan Month, check out SBA's resources to help you learn how to write a business plan quickly and efficiently.

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SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute have teamed up for a series of webinars that highlight programs and services to help small businesses grow and thrive. Join us for the next session on Wednesday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET: Government Contracting and Procurement

During this webinar, you will:

• Learn more about COVID EIDL and how you can take advantage before December 31, 2021
• Discover tools and resources you can use to start and grow your business
• Have your questions answered by SBA leadership and small business experts
• Learn how you can become a vaccine leader in your community
• Get an update regarding programs and recent policy announcements made by the Biden-Harris Administration
  

Register for the webinar

Paycheck Protection Program borrowers: If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below.

1. Find out if your lender is participating. 
2. Watch a video about how to use the portal.
3. Apply for forgiveness.

For additional information, visit the SBA website.