1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i SBAs Community Navigator Pilot Program March 15, 2022 Because of the extent of small business needs in the wake of the pandemic, Section 5004 of the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA, P.L. 117-2) authorized the Small Bu
2、siness Administrations (SBA) Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) to help current or prospective small business owners access COVID-19 pandemic programs and resources. The program awards grants to eligible organizations (e.g., nonprofit organizations, economic development organizations, or local
3、 government entities) in order to provide no-cost management and technical assistance to small business owners. Program services target underserved businesses, such as minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, and include “financial assistance and access to capital; contracting and procuremen
4、t; marketing, operations, business development, and exporting; and industry-specific training.” Congress appropriated $100 million for CNPP grants. The SBA awarded grants to 51 recipients in October 2021, through a competitive process. Maximum grant awards ranged from $1 million to $5 million, based
