Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act

The Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act would reorganize and clarify the role of SBA’s Office of Rural Affairs. It designates the Office to be led by an Assistant Administrator (merit-based, i.e., competitive service) with specific qualifications in rural issues and development assistance for rural small businesses. The bill emphasizes proactive outreach, including hosting webinars and regional events, and expands the Office’s reporting and transparency requirements. It also broadens terminology to consistently refer to “rural small business concerns” and updates references to the federal travel office. Definitions are added for “resource partners” and for “rural small business concern.” Overall, the measure seeks to strengthen federal support and communication about policies and programs affecting rural small businesses, and to improve oversight of the Office’s activities and lending impact in rural areas.