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Administrator Guzman and Congressman Bean walk through historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Photo by Tracy Dishman/News-Leader -
Congressman Bean and Administrator Guzman participate in a small business roundtable at the Nassau County Chamber of commerce. Submitted photo -
Congressman Ben and Administrator Guzman present Natalie Wu of Wicked BAO with a proclamation recognizing her recent Business Owner of the Year award from Main Street Florida. Submitted photo -
From left, Administrator Guzman, Brett Whitaker, Jeff Whitaker, Melba Whitaker and Congressman Aaron Bean in the Robinson Jewelry Company store. Photo by Tracy Dishman/News-Leader -
From left, Theresa Duncan, Administrator Guzman, Mayor Bradley Bean, Congressman Aaron Bean and Todd Duncan in Villa Villekulla Toy Store. Photo by Tracy Dishman
U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean and Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, took a small business tour in Fernandina Beach on Monday to meet with Florida entrepreneurs and highlight the country’s historic small business boom. Statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) show 12.6 million new small business applications nationwide in the past 30 months, including 1.6 million in Florida alone.
Administrator Guzman and Congressman Bean participated in a small business roundtable with the Nassau Chamber of Commerce before embarking on a walking tour of several local small businesses.
The invitation-only roundtable gave business owners a rare platform to directly voice concerns, share personal business experiences and contribute to actionable solutions alongside the visiting officials.
“Our goal is to ensure that our local businesses have the support, resources and regulatory environment they need to thrive,” said Regina Duncan, Nassau County Chamber of Commerce President. “Having direct access to influential policymakers like Congressman Bean and Administrator Guzman underscores the Chamber’s commitment to bridge the gap between businesses and government.”
Following the roundtable discussions, Administrator Guzman and Congressman Bean walked through historic downtown Fernandina Beach and stopped to visit Robison Jewelry Company, PJ Dave’s and Villa Villekulla Toy Store where Fernandina Beach Mayor Bradley Bean joined the discussion.
Mayor Bean presented a proclamation to Administrator Guzman “for her tireless work to transform SBA’s programs and services to meet all small businesses where they are – to deliver the capital, revenue growth opportunities and support networks needed to start, grown and lead our reimagined economy.”
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy in Northeast Florida. I led a small business tour in Nassau County to hear directly from business owners and franchises about their concerns related to inflation, supply chain challenges and labor shortages. I will always support our small businesses and workers against burdensome regulations and champion Florida polices that help, not hurt, working families,” said Congressman Bean.
As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Bean is working with his colleagues to pass bills that protect taxpayer dollars and create a pathway back to a strong economy.
tdishman@fbnewsleader.com
