H.R. 1590: Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act

This bill, known as the Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act, aims to improve support for small businesses located in rural areas by specifically enhancing outreach by federal agencies participating in two key programs: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.

Key Provisions

• Outreach Enhancement: Federal agencies involved in the SBIR and STTR programs are required to boost their outreach efforts to ensure that small businesses in rural communities are aware of and can participate in these programs.
• Implementation Timeline: The bill mandates that these federal agencies must modify their policy directives within 90 days of the enactment of the bill to include specific measures for rural outreach.

Goals of the Bill

The primary goal of this legislation is to increase the participation of rural small businesses in the SBIR and STTR programs by:

• Conducting targeted outreach to rural communities, helping these businesses learn about the funding and support available to them.
• Facilitating access to opportunities that can aid in innovation and business growth within rural areas.

Impact on Federal Agencies

The bill requires that all federal agencies that administer the SBIR or STTR programs develop and implement strategies for effective outreach to rural small businesses. This may involve engaging with local organizations, holding informational sessions, and providing materials tailored to rural business needs.

Challenges Addressed

By focusing on rural outreach, this bill aims to address historical challenges faced by small businesses in these areas, which often include:

• Limited access to information about federal funding programs.
• A lack of resources for navigating the application processes for grants and contracts.

Relevant Companies