REP. MIKE THOMPSON HOSTS SBA ADMINISTRATOR IN NAPA

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today hosted Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet for a roundtable discussion on SBA disaster loans and a tour of Lixit Animal Care Products in Napa.

The roundtable discussion focused on the 2014 South Napa Earthquake and how SBA disaster loans were used to help small businesses, non-profits and others rebuild after the earthquake. Participants in the roundtable included officials from the SBA, the City and County of Napa, the Napa Valley Community Foundation, the Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center and local small business owners that received SBA disaster loans after the earthquake.

“It was an honor to host SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet at today’s roundtable discussion,” said Thompson. “The SBA has provided over $40 million in assistance since the earthquake to help local business owners repair or replace damages and to help homeowners get back on their feet. The SBA’s disaster loan program is a great example of how the government can help people in times of need."

Administrator Contreras-Sweet stated, “Congressman Thompson hosted a great day in Napa today, giving me a chance to see first-hand how SBA is having a positive impact on the region, especially after the 2014 earthquake. SBA was able to come in to the area and offer disaster assistance, to both business owners and homeowners. I'm delighted that the small businesses today affirmed the customer service level SBA's office of Disaster Assistance is delivering commensurate with those of America's top retailers. I stand by the expectation I have set for SBA. We are committed to continuing excellent customer service when Californians are in need.”

On August 24, 2014, a magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck the Napa, Solano and Sonoma County area at approximately 3:20 a.m. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was three miles from American Canyon, six miles from Napa, and eight miles from Sonoma. The earthquake was the largest to hit the Bay Area in 25 years. Estimates show that the earthquake caused $362 million in private damage, and $55 million in public damage.

Following the earthquake, Rep. Thompson helped secure Presidential approval of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) disaster funds and Public Assistance (PA) disaster funds as well as SBA loans. Since the earthquake, the SBA has provided over $40 million in assistance. The SBA has approved 124 business loans, valued at over $9 million and 971 home loans, valued at over $30 million.

Following the roundtable, the Administrator joined Rep. Thompson for a tour of Lixit Animal Care Products.

“Lixit is an exceptional small business that we are fortunate to have right here in Napa,” said Thompson. “Lixit has worked with the SBA to build a successful business, creating good jobs for folks in our community. I was proud to share the fine work being done at Lixit with SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.”

Administrator Contreras-Sweet stated, “Our core services of access to capital, counseling and contracting are there to boost the entrepreneurial success of all small businesses. I am proud to see the work of Lixit, a woman-owned small business exporter that received an SBA loan. They are not only creating jobs for the Napa region, but are providing a sense of dignity and independence to the individuals with disabilities that they have been able to employ.”

Based in Napa, Lixit manufactures small animal watering and feeding devices as well as animal care accessories. Lixit has over one hundred employees, including adults with disabilities. Lixit has received financing from the SBA to secure needed capital and was named Northern California’s SBA Business of the Year in 2006.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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