Congressman Panetta Announces Launch of New Women’s Business Center in Watsonville
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the launch of the El Pájaro Women's Business Center in Watsonville. El Pájaro joins a national network of 136 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on business development. Last year, Congressman Panetta sent a letter to the Small Business Administration urging the establishment of a WBC on the Central Coast to provide greater resources to local female business owners.
"The El Pájaro Regional Women's Business Center will provide greater opportunities to female entrepreneurs in our communities," said Congressman Panetta. "El Pájaro WBC will ensure women-owned small businesses have the tools they need to thrive during this bruising pandemic and long after. I was proud to advocate for a WBC on the Central Coast and I look forward to the future success of all who will benefit from the guidance of the El Pájaro WBC team."
"Over the past several months, we have seen Women's Business Centers provide aid to our nation's innovative and determined entrepreneurs, allowing countless small business owners to pivot with confidence to stay afloat during the pandemic," said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. "Expanding the WBC program is part of this Administration's longstanding commitment to the success of female entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses. Adding these new Women's Business Centers to the already existing network of centers across America will boost timely resources to our nation's female economic drivers, providing them with local training and counseling."
"Opening the doors to the new Women's Business Centers is crucial to the vitality of women-owned small business owners. This network expansion will provide female entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses," said Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development Allen Gutierrez. "We look forward to the continued success of the WBC program as it contributes to the overall health of our economy and creates jobs in their local communities."
Congressman Panetta has been an advocate for small businesses and Women's Business Centers, securing $23 million in Congress' FY2021 omnibus package. In the 116th Congress, Congressman Panetta introduced the Community Economic Development Center Support Act to provide funding to nonprofits such as El Pájaro offering technical assistance to minority and immigrant-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.