Sec. 190006. Minority business development agency
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/bill/116/hr/6379/ih/section-190006·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section— the term Agency means the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; and the term minority business center means a Business Center of the Agency. The Agency may provide financial assistance in the form of grants to minority business centers to provide education, training, and advising to covered small business concerns. Grants under this section shall be used for the education, training, and advising of covered small business concerns and their employees on— accessing and applying for resources provided by the Agency and other Federal resources relating to access to capital and business resiliency; the hazards and prevention of the transmission and communication of COVID–19 and other communicable diseases; the potential effects of COVID–19 on the supply chains, distribution, and sale of products of covered small business concerns and the mitigation of those effects; the management and practice of telework to reduce possible transmission of COVID–19; the management and practice of remote customer service by electronic or other means; the risks of and mitigation of cyber threats in remote customer service or telework practices; the mitigation of the effects of reduced travel or outside activities on covered small business concerns during COVID–19 or similar occurrences; and any other relevant business practices necessary to mitigate the economic effects of COVID–19 or similar occurrences.
Matching funds shall not be required for any grant under this section. Goals and metrics for the funds made available under this section shall be jointly developed, negotiated, and agreed upon, with full participation of both parties, between the minority business centers and the Agency, which shall— take into consideration the extent of the circumstances relating to the spread of COVID–19, or similar occurrences, that affect covered small business concerns located in the areas covered by the minority business centers, particularly in rural areas or economically distressed areas; generally follow the use of funds outlined in paragraph (2), but shall not restrict the activities of minority business centers in responding to unique situations; and encourage minority business centers to develop and provide services to covered small business concerns.
The Agency shall make publicly available the methodology by which the Agency and minority business centers jointly develop the metrics and goals described in subparagraph (A). There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available until expended. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, the Agency may, during the 3-month period that begins on the date of enactment of this Act, waive any matching requirement imposed on a minority business center or specialty center of the Agency under a cooperative agreement between such a center and the Agency if the applicable center is unable to raise funds, or has suffered a loss of revenue, because of the effects of COVID–19.
Notwithstanding any provision of a cooperative agreement between the Agency and a minority business center, if, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2021, such a center decides not to collect fees because of the economic consequences of COVID–19, the center shall be considered to be in compliance with that agreement if— the center notifies the Agency with respect to that decision, which the center may provide through electronic mail; and the Agency, not later than 15 days after the date on which the center provides notice to the Agency under subparagraph (A)— confirms receipt of the notification under subparagraph (A); and accepts the decision of the center.