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ASBC applauds Small Business Jobs Act passage by Senate

Good News for Job Creation as Poverty Numbers Reach Historic High

ASBC applauds Small Business Jobs Act passage by Senate

Good News for Job Creation as Poverty Numbers Reach Historic High

Published 09-16-10

Submitted by American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council applauds today's passage of the Small Business Jobs Bill by the Senate and looks forward to final approval by the House. The bill contains a $30 billion lending fund for community banks to provide new loans to small businesses that have been hit hard by the economic meltdown and continued credit crunch.

"Small businesses account for most of the job creation in this country and, with this bill, our businesses and many others like them can do even more to help build a vibrant and sustainable economy," said David Levine, co-founder and executive director of the American Sustainable Business Council. "Especially today as we heard that the number of Americans in poverty is the largest on record, we are pleased that the Senate approved this important step forward."

"With the successful vote today in the Senate, small businesses are one step closer to powering an economic recovery through job creation," said Frank Knapp, Jr., president and CEO of The South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday, Mr. Knapp spoke at a Senate press conference on behalf of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), joined by other leaders of ASBC member organizations and businesses.

"My business can't grow and I can't hire more people when I can't get credit," said Lew Prince, managing partner of Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis, MO and member of Business for Shared Prosperity. "This fund will help businesses like mine - and the community banks we borrow from - survive the recession and begin to grow again."

About American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council is a fast-growing collaboration of 24 business networks, including the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, Business for Shared Prosperity, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Green America, Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association and other organizations. The Council represents more than 55,000 companies and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors and entrepreneurs working to build a strong, sustainable economy.

[NOTE: 2009 Poverty rate highest in 15 years; Number of people in poverty highest on record.]

American Sustainable Business Council logo

American Sustainable Business Council

American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a national coalition of mission-driven businesses, social enterprises and sustainable business networks working to create a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. What unites us is a deep belief that we must move to a new economy that is grounded in principles of sustainability and equity.

The Council represents over 55,000 businesses and enterprises and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs and business professionals. It is comprised of partners, which are organizations that represent businesses and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, executives, owners and investors committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy.

ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes.

We believe that the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just economy are also good for business and good for America. Making the right commitments and investments will produce more and better jobs, build strength in key technologies, and make the U.S. more independent and secure.

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