– Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), an original cosponsor of H.R. 1700, the SCORE for Small Business Act, released the following statement with the bill’s sponsor, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), after the House passed the bill last night.  

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of Nebraska’s Second District,” said Congressman Bacon. “The SCORE for Small Business Act will develop mentorship programs for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them create a successful company. Having retired business leaders mentor and provide entrepreneurs with best practices and training will allow them to contribute to our nation’s thriving economy. I thank Congresswoman Adams for her work on this bipartisan issue.”

“I’m pleased that my bill, the SCORE for Small Business Act, has passed the House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Mentorship plays a critical role in the short- and long-term success of small businesses. SCORE is an important tool available to help new entrepreneurs better navigate the difficulties of starting a new business. The reauthorization of SCORE will help to meet the needs of NC-12 businesses and the more than 800,000 small businesses in North Carolina. Small businesses are the drivers of our economy and I am proud to have worked on this legislation with my colleague Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska.”

The SCORE program is part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s entrepreneurship development portfolio that has provided significant business assistance to entrepreneurs. This non-profit organization is the largest federal business mentoring program to help Americans start and grow their small businesses. Volunteers, many of whom have retired from the workforce, donate more than one million hours of their time to assist entrepreneurs. There are more than 300 SCORE chapters in over 800 locations across the nation. SCORE volunteers provide assistance and training in person and online.