STAND. COM. REP. NO.123-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2000

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred H.B. No. 2000 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to preserve jobs and create new job opportunities by expanding the economic development program of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. This bill appropriates $1,225,000 for the SBDC to better assist small business owners in better managing their own businesses.

The Hawaii SBDC Network and the U.S. Small Business Administration testified in support of this bill. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this measure.

Each year, SBDC provides counseling, training, advocacy, and research activities to over 1,000 individuals through its eight offices statewide. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, SBDC has experienced large increases in requests for assistance. Due to the decline in jobs in established businesses, more individuals are turning to starting their own businesses, and the demand for startup business training is increasing. The additional funding provided in this bill will address this demand by enabling SBDC to service an additional 1,700 individuals during the upcoming fiscal year.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2000 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns,

 

____________________________

LEI AHU ISA, Chair