Greetings and Happy New Year!
We are a few weeks into the New Year and I wanted to share an update on our work serving the backbone of our communities, our small businesses! As we wrapped up 2022, we also wrapped up the 117th Congress. We are proud of all we accomplished in partnership with local entrepreneurs and are excited for the opportunities in front of us.
As always, we hope this quarterly update, resources, and opportunities are helpful to you!
Congressman Kim Releases End of Congress Report
As 2022 and the 117th Congress came to a close, Congressman Kim released a report to recap our work over the last two years! The highlights include passing meaningful legislation to lower healthcare costs, repair our infrastructure, fight climate change, and support small businesses, working families, seniors, veterans and military families.
Read the full report here!
Congressman Kim Secures Major Funding for Local Priorities, including Support for Small Businesses, and More
On December 23rd, Congressman Kim was proud to help pass a package of funding bills, which included support for our small businesses and New Jersey’s working families, including:
- $1.2 billion for the Small Business Administration, including $320 million for entrepreneurial development programs to support New Jersey entrepreneurs and small businesses, making sure they have access to the capital and resources they need.
- $455 million for the expansion of broadband service to provide economic development opportunities and improved education and healthcare services.
- $324 million for community development financial institutions – an increase of $29 million above FY2022 levels.
- Including $35 million for the Bank Enterprise Award Program that helps businesses in underserved communities get access to support.
- $299 million for the National Labor Relations board – an increase of $25 million above FY2022 levels – to protect workers rights, especially their rights to collective bargaining.
- $31.03 million for SPY1 radar low noise amplifier refurbishment and upgrades that will sustain dozens of good-paying jobs at the Lockheed Martin Moorestown facility.
The legislation also included all of his Community Project Funding requests for Burlington and Ocean Counties and additional provisions that invest in veterans’ mental healthcare, a pay raise for servicemembers, his legislation to combat the opioid crisis, and much more. Read more on the provisions secured by Congressman KIm here.
At JBMDL Roundtable, Congressman Kim Talks About Putting Servicemembers and New Jersey Workers First
In December, Congressman Kim joined a roundtable with United Communities as well as labor and Base leaders at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The group discussed plans to increase federal contracting opportunities on military bases and putting New Jersey workers first for construction jobs on military bases. Congressman Kim’s Put Our Neighbors to Work Act would open up more of these federal contracting opportunities for our local workers and small businesses.
After the roundtable, Congressman Kim spoke with United Communities Military Housing about housing for servicemembers and their families. The Congressman helped pass the Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA late last year to support servicemembers’ basic needs with adjusted basic allowances for housing and military dependents.
Supporting Small Business Saturday!
On November 25th, Congressman Kim joined in celebrating Small Business Saturday and encouraged everyone to shop small to support local entrepreneurs. Throughout the day, he highlighted a few of the fantastic small shops, restaurants, and markets that he’s had the pleasure of visiting recently!
Congressman Kim Joins Small Business Roundtable at Joint Base, Introduces Legislation to Increase Access to Capital
In October, Congressman Kim introduced the Access Business Credit (ABC) Act to ease tax burdens for community banks to incentivize increased lending to small businesses.
Congressman Kim continues to work closely with the small business community to address their needs. On October 20th, he spoke with the Small Business Roundtable and other small business leaders at an Industry Day at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In conversation with local entrepreneurs, the group discussed the need to expand opportunities for small businesses through government contracts and loans.
