Sponsor
Mark Alford
Representative · R-MO
Representative · R-MO
The bill increases outreach and potential funding access for rural small businesses and improves equity in federal R&D programs, but risks uneven or superficial implementation and added agency costs unless sufficient resources and realistic timelines are provided.
Rural small-business owners will receive targeted outreach and increased awareness of SBIR/STTR opportunities, improving their access to federal R&D funding and raising the chances of new grants or contracts.
Rural communities could see more local innovation support and potential job creation as increased participation in SBIR/STTR programs can spur business growth and economic activity.
Underrepresented rural innovators will be better included in federal R&D programs, improving equity of program participation and broadening the pool of funded ideas.
Rural communities and small businesses may receive uneven or ineffective outreach if agencies are not provided funding to implement the new engagement requirements.
Short 90-day compliance windows may force agencies into rushed or superficial outreach plans, reducing the likelihood of sustained, meaningful engagement with rural innovators.
Federal agencies will incur additional administrative costs and staff time to design and carry out expanded rural outreach, which could divert resources from other activities and ultimately be borne by taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the SBA to direct SBIR/STTR agencies to increase and conduct outreach to rural small businesses, with directive changes due within 90 days.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Mark Alford · Last progress February 26, 2025
Requires the SBA Administrator to update policy directives within 90 days so that every federal agency participating in the SBIR and STTR programs increases and conducts outreach to rural communities to raise participation by rural small businesses. The change directs agencies to focus on identifying, informing, and engaging small business concerns located in rural areas but does not provide new funding or change award rules.