U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Applauds Administrator Contreras-Sweet's Bid to Transform the Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (http://www.uswcc.org) enthusiastically endorses Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet's bid to transform the SBA to meet today's challenges in a more efficient, inclusive and proactive manner.

"Words cannot express my excitement over SBA Administrator Contreras-Sweet's policy objectives for the Small Business Administration; our country finally has the right leader with the right experience, capability, mission and objectives to empower small businesses with the tools and market opportunities necessary to drive business creation, fuel economic growth and spur job creation," states Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.

"Administrator Contreras-Sweet's plans to modernize and streamline credit scoring and loan processing will save small businesses and lenders millions of dollars, entice many more lenders into the small business lending marketplace and bring greater objectivity to the small business lending process," continued Dorfman. "U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce members tell us the small business lending marketplace has been very problematic; failure to access capital has curbed their opportunities for growth. I believe the new SBA One objectives are very achievable and will produce a positive impact for our member firms very quickly."

"I am also thrilled to see Administrator Contreras-Sweet's views and objectives towards women-owned firms. She realizes that women-owned firms are underrepresented in far more than just 83 of the 360 industry categories now part of the women's business set-aside program and will take proactive steps to end the unrealistic confines inherited by the SBA from the prior administration's unfriendly policies towards women-owned firms," adds Dorfman. "While I am very pleased that the Administrator endorses the addition of a sole source program for WOSB/EDWOSB set-asides, I encourage her to also ensure accountability by bringing forth standards that assure all firms taking part in set-asides are truly women-owned and relieving contracting officers of the unnecessary risk and burden of certifying women's ownership status for each and every contract they award."

"The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce also applauds Administrator Contreras-Sweet for her commitment to opening new markets for small businesses including supply chain opportunities, international markets and greater exporting success. The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce stands ready to support these efforts and will assure our 500,000+ members are accessing opportunity at every level of the Small Business Administration," concludes Dorfman.

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce unifies the collective strength of women in the U.S. economy. Using a platform of influence, innovation, and opportunity, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce works with and for its members to grow successful businesses and careers. For additional information, go to http://www.uswcc.org or call 888-418-7922.

SOURCE U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce