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NORTH CANTON, OH —At the Akron-Canton Airport on Monday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined representatives from U.S. Sen. Rob Portman’s (R-OH) office, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to host a workshop to connect Ohio small businesses with important resources to grow their businesses and create jobs. 

“The best way I do my job is to listen to your concerns and the issues you face running and expanding your business,” said Brown at the workshop. “The best ideas don’t come out of Washington – they come from conversations with Ohioans. And these are often issues where we can cut through the partisan gridlock, and work together.”

The workshop included panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, including:

  • Information on SBA loans and technical assistance, export opportunities, and federal government contracting;
  • A financing session specifically catered to small business financing needs;
  • Networking with local small business counselors and resource partners.

Brown has been a vocal champion for small businesses in Ohio and has worked to connect them with the resources and capital they need to survive and grow, promoting economic development around Ohio.

Last year, Brown kicked off a small business workshop in Columbus, co-hosted by Facebook and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. The workshop connected small businesses in central Ohio with important tools to build their online presence in order to grow their business and create jobs. 

During the financial crisis, Brown also pushed for the passage of the Small Business Jobs Act, which created a $30 billion loan fund—at no cost to taxpayers—to enable community banks to make loans to small businesses seeking to expand operations or hire new workers. 

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