SBA Administrator's Statement on President's State of the Union

SBA Loan Recipient among First Lady's Guests

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Jan 21, 2015, 09:18 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The head of the U.S. Small Business Administration Maria Contreras-Sweet, attended Tuesday night State of the Union address as a member of the President's Cabinet. Also in attendance was Carolyn Annette Reed, a small business owner who used an SBA loan program to expand her small business and open an additional Silver Mine Subs shop in Denver.

As guest of the First Lady, Ms. Reed wrote to President Obama about her small business journey. In her note, she also mentioned that she looked forward to benefiting from the Affordable Care Act. Currently she and her husband, David, are enrolled in the Colorado state exchange.

"The President's message was focused on middle class families across America. As the voice for our nation's small businesses, I know that our entrepreneurs are fueling America's comeback. I know that many of them want to be able to compete globally, and the President's proposals tonight around tax reform, high-paying jobs, and raising wages and incomes will create a robust environment for small businesses to succeed," said Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.

The President laid out measures to reinvest in the middle class, in the areas of income, community college access, and retirement savings. His proposals take steps to make the tax system more equitable, which will then finance his plan for making community college free for responsible students. Additional investments include improving child care quality, access, and affordability for working families. The SBA will work with fellow federal agencies, members of Congress, and stakeholder groups to implement the President's vision.

For more information about the President's speech, please visit: WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU.

http://www.sba.gov/news

Release Number: 15-03

Contact: Miguel Ayala (202) 450-0148

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SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration