On Monday, March 21, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, visited the Miami area. The goal of the visit was to highlight the importance of government contracting for entrepreneurs. And it was also helpful to hear from local small business owners about the pandemic challenges they faced and what worked for them. Administrator Guzman was joined by SBA Associate Administrator for Government Contracting & Business Development, Bibi Hidalgo, SBA Southeast Regional Administrator Allen Thomas, and U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar and Frederica Wilson.
“My thanks to Representatives Maria Salazar and Frederica Wilson for welcoming me to Miami and connecting me with so many members of Florida’s vibrant small business community, who shared with me their needs and challenges and their stories of success and resilience,” said Administrator Guzman.
Administrator Guzman kicked off her trip by holding a roundtable discussion with Rep. Salazar on the campus of Miami Dade College. Small business owners, Resource Partners, and stakeholders from Rep. Salazar’s district participated in the discussion. Administrator Guzman and Rep. Salazar listened to the concerns and successes of local small business owners, and they gained insights from SBA Resource Partners and small business champions and stakeholders. Students from Miami Dade College were also in attendance for this discussion and were able to spend time with the Administrator and the Congresswoman following the roundtable.
Topics of conversation included discussion around the recovery programs that were utilized by constituents in the district as well as how the SBA has made changes to enhance the customer’s experience with the Agency. Administrator Guzman and Rep. Salazar conveyed their collaborative commitment to further equity and success for the businesses of South Florida.
After making the rounds to various joints, Administrator Guzman was joined by Rep. Wilson and met with Chris Tucker, CEO, and Jannette “Nadine” Tucker, President, of Aero Marine Interior, Inc. (AMI). The Tuckers provided a tour of the manufacturing business. Aero Marine Interior, Inc. is an FAA Approved Repair Station specializing in Aircraft Interior Repairs. Their services include full Aircraft Interior Overhaul, Refurbishing, Upholstering, and Carpeting. The Tuckers were able to talk about and display how the Paycheck Protection Program(PPP) helped their business to stay afloat throughout the pandemic and they were able to pay and maintain their staff through challenging times.
“Small businesses are a critical component to the success of local economies across Florida and the broader national economy,” said Rep. Wilson.
Following the tour, Administrator Guzman and Rep. Wilson joined Associate Administrator Bibi Hidalgo, Regional Administrator to the Southeast Region Allen Thomas, Miami Mayor Anthony F. DeFillipo, and several small business owners and stakeholders for a robust roundtable discussion around the topics of government contracting, equity, resiliency, living wage, and the SBA’s Small Business Digital Alliance.
This visit marks the Administrator’s first official visit to Miami, FL. In her first year in office, Administrator Guzman has visited 26 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, and over 41 cities.
