Resolution - The Small Business Administration Support of Intermediary Micro Business Lenders US Border Region.

WHEREAS, in the United States 60% of the jobs in the United States are among micro businesses with employees of five or less. According to the Small Business Administration micro businesses are the "engine" of our United States economy. In Mexico, 85% of the jobs are among these micro business; and
 
WHEREAS, the United States Mexico Border economy and micro business playa critical role in this region; and
 
WHEREAS, the present border region is under dire economic stress due to (the peso devaluation, gangs, border violence, drug cartels, and more stringent passport, import and visa regulations. Plus the negative effects on the economy by the sharp reduction of the "remesa" monies sent back home from Mexican workers in the United States which seriously affect the economy on both sides of the border, and
 
WHEREAS, all of these negative economic factors have seriously impacted the micro businesses and their intermediary lenders on the border; and
 
WHEREAS, the SBA micro business intermediaries which have toiled to keep their existing portfolio of business from suffering economic ruin due to the failing economy through providing technical assistance and advice. This option has been critical to their survival as opposed to meeting aggressive loan objectives by funders not recognizing the crisis; and
 
WHEREAS, LULAC applauds the existing border area SBA micro businesses intermediary lenders for their dedicated efforts to keep the micro businesses afloat due to their technical assistance. LULAC also encourages SBA and other grantors to support these efforts with additional technical assistance funds and less emphasis on providing new loans until the economic crisis diminishes.
 
FUTHERMORE, that this resolution be adopted at the Arizona State LULAC Convention and forwarded to the national LULAC Convention to become a national legislative priority.

Approved this 18th day of July 2009.

Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President