GREATER Act

This bill tells three agencies—the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority—to team up to help rural entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Appalachian and Delta regions. Within 120 days after the law takes effect, they must sign a formal agreement to coordinate programs and support. Their work must include small businesses in those regions, and they may share resources and work with other federal agencies to make these efforts stronger.

Within two years, these agencies have to send Congress a joint report that explains how they worked together, how many entrepreneurs and small businesses they helped, where they see chances to do more, and how they plan to keep coordinating in the future.

• Who is affected: Rural entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the Appalachian region or the Delta region.
• What changes: The agencies must sign an agreement, include local small businesses in their activities, and can share funds and partner with other federal agencies to support these efforts.
• When: The agreement is due within 120 days after the law is enacted; the joint report is due within two years.