Aguilar Introduces Bill to Help Small Businesses Compete in Global Economy by Sarah Weinstein - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Aguilar Introduces Bill to Help Small Businesses Compete in Global Economy

By Sarah Weinstein, Community Writer
January 19, 2016 at 03:27pm. Views: 236

Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31) recently introduced his latest bill, H.R. 4142, the Displaced Jobs Relief Act of 2015, which will boost resources for the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAA-F) program. The TAA for Firms program, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers technical assistance to businesses that—because of foreign competition—have seen significant job and sales losses. The bill increases funding authorization for the program per fiscal year from $16 million to $50 million, starting in 2016 and running through 2021. In 2009, authorization levels were set at $50 million until House Republicans cut funding levels to $16 million in Fiscal Year 2011. “As the Inland Empire fights its way back from the Great Recession, we need to make sure that we use every tool available to help our businesses recover. Small businesses were dealt heavy blows in the past decade, both from our weakened economy and from flawed trade agreements. International trade plays an important role in our economy, but history has taught us that not all agreements are fair. Sometimes they take a toll on local businesses that don’t have the ability to handle unfair foreign competition,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “That’s why I introduced this bill. Trade Adjustment Assistance has played a crucial part in retraining and placing Americans in good-paying jobs for generations. If we increase the available funds, we can help protect hardworking Americans from losing business to unfair competition overseas.” Once businesses apply for assistance, selected firms are paired with their local Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAAC) to craft an economic recovery plan to help their businesses compete. The plan must be completely implemented within five years. Regional TAACs provide some financial assistance; however this is in a supportive role, not as the sole provider. Between 2007 and 2015, over 1,200 firms with total annual sales of nearly $20 billion and a combined workforce of over one hundred thousand employees benefited from Trade Adjustment Assistance. California’s regional center, the Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (WTAAC), has worked with over 700 businesses in its region and has specifically assisted firms in 51 of the 53 Congressional Districts, including the 31st. Getting San Bernardino County’s economy back on track is Rep. Aguilar’s top priority. That’s why weeks after taking office he convened regional Jobs Roundtables throughout the Inland Empire and released his Jobs Plan shortly thereafter. This is Rep. Aguilar’s latest bill to help businesses in the community recover and put residents back to work. Earlier this year he introduced the On-the-Job Training Tax Credit Act, which has received bipartisan support, and in July he introduced the Small Business Jobs Act. The text of the Displaced Jobs Relief Act can be read here and his remarks on the House Floor can be viewed here.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 251

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 307

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 383

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 307

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 332

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 273

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 330

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 678

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 286

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 238

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 608

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 567

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->