The American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2, § 5004) authorizes SBA to establish the Community Navigator Pilot Program to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, private nonprofit organizations, SBA Resource Partners, States, Tribes, and units of entities. OED will support the Community Navigator Pilot Program. OED's mission is to help small businesses start, grow, and compete in global markets by providing quality training, counseling, and access to resources.
The Administration is committed to ensuring that the nation's small businesses receive the support they need to access federal relief programs that can help them weather the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this program is to reach, and support underserved small businesses, including micro and rural businesses, with emphasis and those owned by women, veterans and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.