Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2015

Bill 114 s 999, also known as the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2015, was introduced in the 114th Congress by Senator Jeanne Shaheen on April 16, 2015. The purpose of this bill was to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program.

The SBDC program is a nationwide network of centers that provide counseling, training, and technical assistance to small businesses. The program is administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and is designed to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed.

The Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2015 aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the SBDC program by increasing accountability and transparency, improving coordination between SBDCs and other small business assistance programs, and promoting the use of technology to better serve small businesses. Specific provisions of the bill included requiring SBDCs to develop performance measures and report on their outcomes, establishing a national accreditation program for SBDCs, and encouraging collaboration between SBDCs and other small business assistance programs. Overall, the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2015 sought to strengthen the SBDC program and ensure that small businesses have access to the resources and support they need to thrive in the competitive marketplace.