WASHINGTON D.C. – In a Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion hearing today, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) discussed how Congress can better support rural businesses looking to expand into global markets.  

Watch a clip of the hearing here: 

Senator Welch highlighted how federal support has helped open Vermont businesses to more opportunities: “The EXIM Bank has done something terrific for Vermont: a $169 million loan to Beta Technologies, which is producing, or beginning to manufacture, electric planes. And that is an extraordinary benefit to get us to net-zero and also huge for jobs being created. The initiatives, like Make More in America, really have an impact for us in rural businesses about 400 jobs in the state Vermont at Beta.  

Reed Westcott, Executive Director of the Small Business Association (SBA) testified under questioning: “Continuing to invest in opportunities to support communities like that is crucial. Whenever Congress has the opportunity to expand the number of opportunities available to small businesses, they should certainly be looking to take that. Regardless of what sector you’re looking in or what piece of legislation, there are ways to expand opportunities for small business and specifically to increase jobs in the export space.” 

To watch the full hearing, click here.  

To watch the Senator’s full remarks, click here. 

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