Press Releases

Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04), Chairman of the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations, introduced the Faith and Rural Small Business Act to strengthen the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ability to serve rural and faith-based communities.

The legislation would codify the SBA’s Office of Rural Affairs and elevate its leadership to an Assistant Administrator. It would also establish a Center for Faith within the SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, led by a Director appointed by the SBA Administrator.

“The SBA should meet entrepreneurs where they are, whether that’s on Main Street in rural Missouri or in a faith community serving its neighbors. This legislation supports the SBA’s reorganization by strengthening its focus on rural America and faith-based entrepreneurship and ensuring more entrepreneurs can access the resources they need to succeed,” said Congressman Alford.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Background:

The legislation builds on Alford’s efforts to make the SBA more responsive to communities outside Washington, D.C. In 2025, Alford introduced the Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act to expand SBA outreach in rural communities and the Returning SBA to Main Street Act, which passed the House Small Business Committee and would decentralize SBA personnel across the country.

This legislation continues those efforts by strengthening the SBA’s Office of Rural Affairs and codifying a Center for Faith within the agency’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development.

The bill would amend the Small Business Act to formally establish both offices within the SBA’s organizational structure.

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