WASHINGTON, D.C. – (October 8, 2020) – The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) held its second public meeting and subsequent listening session on September 29, 2020. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza joined the proceedings to share agency priorities as well as the successes of the Paycheck Protection Program. NWBC Chair Liz Sara then announced an interagency agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau for unique data tabulations on women entrepreneurs and reiterated the Council’s support to reconvene the Interagency on Women’s Business Enterprise.

The Access to Capital & Opportunity Subcommittee outlined its proposals relating to disaster relief, impact investing, financial literacy, and federal procurement. The Rural Women’s Entrepreneurship Subcommittee followed with a three-pronged approach to childcare availability, reliability, and affordability. The group also underscored the need for federal broadband infrastructure grant programs to engage small providers and shared recommendations to strengthen the Women’s Business Center Program. Finally, the Women in STEM Subcommittee issued its proposed action items to boost women’s participation in the SBIR/STTR programs as well as the patenting and trademark process. Senior Policy Advisor Sandra Mayoral Pedroarias shared the key findings from the Council’s newly released report on women’s inclusion in America’s Seed Fund.

The meeting concluded with the reading of several public comment submissions on pressing issues for women’s business enterprise. Attendees were then encouraged to join a follow-up listening session and share thoughts on potential policy priorities for Fiscal Year 2021.

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