LONDONDERRY, N.H. – U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Guzman joined Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Director Ted Kitchens at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) as part of a series of events celebrating the beginning of National Small Business Week in New Hampshire.
Earlier in the day, Guzman honored several local businesses and their owners, including some from Manchester, as well as a roundtable on the impact and importance of veterans on New Hampshire’s small businesses.
Guzman also got the chance to take a look at some locally made products sold at the airport as part of her tour of the area.
“This was fantastic opportunity to highlight local, smaller local businesses,” said Ruais. “I am really appreciative of (Guzman) coming here today.”
Before heading to New Hampshire, Guzman announced that the Biden-Harris Administration has invested $178.6 billion in small businesses during the SBA 2023 Fiscal Year, a year-over-year increase of $15.7 billion.
“It’s always wonderful to lift up these small business stories. When someone puts their heart and soul and all that grit into their business it’s remarkable because they’re creating jobs, they’re building wealth, generational wealth and really defining neighborhoods,” said Guzman.
Guzman also praised the airport itself, which has received several federal grants in recent years. Conversely, Kitchens stressed the importance of federal support of the airport and various contractors that have worked with the airport, and by extension, local small businesses that have worked with those contractors. Kitchens also stressed the importance of MHT helping bring business from around the country that helps local small businesses.
“Obviously we support local businesses through our travel and tourism efforts, bringing people up to the state for a visit and a majority of those businesses will be small businesses,” said Kitchens. “You have to remember that aviation isn’t just about getting you to your destination but it’s also about bringing people here to help start their vacations.”
