STAND. COM. REP. 1369

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.C.R. No. 90

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 90 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TO RE-EXAMINE THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATING HUBZONES UNDER THE HUBZONE EMPOWERMENT CONTRACTING PROGRAM AS IT APPLIES TO THE STATE OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to provide support for small businesses in historically underutilized business areas by requesting that the Small Business Administration (SBA) re-examine the criteria for designating HUBZones under the federal HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program (HUBZone Program).

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee notes that the SBA employs United States (U.S.) Census data to determine Urban designation under the HUBZone Program. The application of U.S. Census data has resulted in the designation of certain portions of the Waianae Coast as Urban HUBZones, leaving fragments of the community without Urban designation. Your Committee further finds that this division of the Waianae Coast has rendered it difficult for small business owners to qualify for the HUBZone Program. Re-examination of the criteria for designating HUBZones may enable more small business owners on the Waianae Coast to qualify for and receive HUBZone benefits, which will help stimulate economic development in the area.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 90 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns,

 

____________________________

BRIAN SCHATZ, Chair