Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced she will be hosting a Small Business Resource Fair.

The event will take place on Friday, March 29, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library, located at 600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684.

At the resource fair, current and prospective small business owners will be able to meet with local organizations to learn about resources for starting and growing a business, such as loan and financial assistance programs, opportunities for federal grants and contracts, and support for rural and women-, veteran-, and minority-owned businesses. Attendees will include the SBA Portland District, Washington SBDC, SCORE, and more.

“Before coming to Congress, I operated an auto repair and machine shop with my husband, and an SBA loan made it possible to buy the building for our shop. Nevertheless, any small business owner will tell you that navigating these programs can be a nightmare,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “While I work to level the playing field for local small business owners in Congress, this resource fair is a way to bring vital opportunities and the assistance needed to access them directly to our community.”

On the House Small Business Committee, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has made it her priority to cut red tape and make the SBA loan process easier – and she’s been working on legislation to help young people in the trades start their own businesses and ensure local small businesses have a fair shot competing for federal contracts. The Congresswoman has a list of resources for small business owners on her website.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s team always stands ready to support Southwest Washington small business owners who need help with a federal agency. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to reach out online, by phone at (360) 695-6292, or in person at her Vancouver or Kelso offices.