WASHINGTON, D.C. – Massachusetts Representatives Edward J. Markey (D-Malden), dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, and Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell), member of the House Armed Services Committee, today praised House passage of the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Included in the National Defense Authorization Act, the SBIR program will be reauthorized for six years, and funding will be increased from 2.5 to 3.2 percent of research and development funding at major federal agencies. Language in the reauthorization also allows limited venture capital participation in the program, preserving the initial intent of fostering innovative ideas through truly small businesses. SBIR has a proven track record supporting job creation in innovative industries for almost three decades.

“Congress showed great leadership today by reauthorizing the SBIR program for six years, providing certainty to our small businesses that this innovation incubator will continue to drive our economy forward,” said. Rep. Markey. “Small businesses are the economic engine for job creation in our nation, and SBIR funding is the fuel for the cutting-edge ideas, technologies and companies that will help rebuild our economy.
 
“I thank my colleagues Reps. Niki Tsongas and Peter Welch in the House who have worked tirelessly with me to push this initiative forward. I congratulate Senators Mary Landrieu and Olympia Snowe for their commitment in the Senate. And I thank Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer who have been staunch advocates for the SBIR program,” said Rep. Markey.

“Today’s passage of a six year extension of the SBIR program is a significant victory for Massachusetts small businesses,” said Rep. Tsongas. “Through our persistent efforts we were successful in maintaining the original intent of the SBIR program so that small companies and innovative entrepreneurs can continue to rely on it to deliver needed products to the federal government while fostering local innovation and job creation.  I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for including SBIR in the NDAA, as well as Leader Pelosi and Whip Hoyer for their support, and my New England delegation colleagues Ed Markey and Peter Welsh for their unwavering advocacy on behalf of this critical program.”

To date, over $28 billion has been awarded by the SBIR program to various small businesses nationwide, and the program has delivered more than 55,000 patents and hundreds of valuable innovations in a wide variety of industries. Eleven federal agencies participate in the SBIR program: Defense, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Homeland Security, Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation.

In the last four years, Massachusetts has benefited from 2,215 SBIR awards totaling over $759 million. Approximately 32 percent of high tech jobs in Massachusetts are related to the SBIR program.

 

###