Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke hosted a small business breakfast roundtable with Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration and key small business stakeholders in the 11^th Congressional District of New York.  Dr. Sargeant had the opportunity to hear directly from the community stakeholders about the issues they are dealing with in this economic climate. 

“In these days of economic uncertainty and congressional gridlock, the constituents of Brooklyn’s 11^th Congressional District cannot afford to simply wait. For this reason, it was an honor to have Dr. Sargeant come to Brooklyn to interact directly with our small business community.  It is through these creative development strategies that residents can connect with the SBA Advocacy Office  and understand the ways this federal agency can be a resource in helping to expand their enterprises and create jobs, particularly for our minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

“When we are able to hear directly from small businesses, their issues, their concerns and their solutions, the Office of Advocacy is better able to fight for them in Washington” said Chief Counsel Sargeant.  “Today’s meeting with Congresswoman Clarke and members of the small business community was productive and insightful.”

After the small business breakfast roundtable, Congresswoman Clarke took Dr. Winslow Sargeant on a tour throughout key sections of 11^th Congressional District of New York such as Brownsville, Prospect Plaza and the Atlantic Yards/Nets Stadium site, which represent areas where small businesses thrive, are currently undergoing development and are in need of federal resources for its revitalization.  

“It was an honor to give Dr. Sargeant a firsthand look at the unique nature of small businesses in central Brooklyn.  I had the chance to share my vision of economic development, empowerment and revitalization with the active participation of minority, women and veteran small businesses,” stated Congresswoman Clarke.  “This roundtable and tour gave Dr. Sargeant some perspective on how the Office of Advocacy can help the development of small businesses in the 11^th Congressional District of New York.”

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government.  It works with policymakers to bring regulatory flexibility to the states, giving small employers a voice early in the process to reduce small business impact of state regulations while increasing regulatory compliance and passing on cost savings.

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