Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he was informed by the U.S. Small Business Administration that the Native American Samoan Advisory Council (NASAC) has been awarded $150,000 for its Women’s Business Center.  National Women’s Business Centers provide assistance and/or training in finance, management, marketing, procurement and the internet.  Women Business Centers also provide counseling and access to the SBA’s programs and services.

The Women’s Business Center in American Samoa, in its fourth year of operation, provides comprehensive training programs to Native American Samoan women who are socially and economically disadvantaged.  Operating under the auspices of NASAC, the Women’s Business Center provides specialized training in agri-business and village-based business to develop entrepreneurial skills and help women market and export their products.

“I am very pleased that American Samoa’s Women Business Center is receiving this federal assistance to help women in the Territory compete in the business market,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I have worked very closely with Chairman Donald Manzullo and Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez on issues to help our nation’s small businesses and I have always believed that, when given the opportunity and tools, Samoan women can do just as well as any other woman or man for that matter in the business world.”

“I congratulate NASAC for having won this award and especially Mrs. Tilani Ilaoa for the successful management of the Women’s Business Center over the last several years,” the Congressman concluded.