Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Focuses on Women for the 2nd Forum in Her Small Business Series

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration spoke to the crowd about assistance the SBA can offer business owners.

Dallas, TX – (Monday, June 10, 2013) – This past Friday, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, joined with the Small Business Administration, hosted the second forum, in her newly launched Small Business Series. The purpose of this forum was to promote voluntary efforts in strengthening the role of women business owners within the community, and provide education, financial or managerial assistance to enhance women’s business ownership.

“I believe that small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “These enterprises will be a key factor in strengthening our economy and creating jobs.”

The panel discussion took place at the Bill J. Priest Center for Economic Development, and attendees were welcomed by Yolanda Olivarez, U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator. Regional Administrator Olivarez thanked Congresswoman Johnson for her strong support of the small business community, and outlined agency programs and the importance of the Small Business Administration’s 3 Cs-Counseling, Contracting, and Capital.

“Here in Dallas, the U.S. Small Business Administration has loaned more than $75 million to women owned businesses and I attribute that to strong initiatives like these programs that connect communities with resources,” said Administrator Olivarez. She continued, “I am honored to be a champion of what you do.”

The panelists included: Melea Crouse, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Margo Posey, Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council; Charles Waldrop, SBDC Specialty Center for Government Contracting; Indria E. Hollingsworth, Parkland Health and Hospital System; Jermaine A. Hunt, City of Dallas; James Kahler, First United Bank.

Congresswoman Johnson’s Small Business Series is a program designed to provide current and aspiring small business owners the educational and operational resources necessary for managing successful small businesses.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a Ranking member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.