Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act

This bill, known as the "Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act," aims to significantly enhance the Small Business Administration's Office of Rural Affairs. It establishes a dedicated Assistant Administrator position to lead the office, who will be appointed by the Administrator and serve as a noncareer appointee within the Senior Executive Service. The office's primary duties are to advise on policies and programs, coordinate with relevant federal offices, and specifically focus on the needs of rural small business concerns. A key provision mandates the Assistant Administrator to host regular outreach events across the United States, inviting various stakeholders including SBA district offices, resource partners, and federal and state agencies. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes robust interagency cooperation between the Small Business Administration and the Department of Agriculture. This collaboration is designed to improve awareness and utilization of existing programs and services from both agencies. The legislation requires the Assistant Administrator to convene interagency working groups to address critical issues such as capital access and investment in rural areas. These groups will identify overlaps in loan programs, assess coordination opportunities, and improve information sharing between the agencies, including examining coordination for disaster assistance and support for cooperatives. The bill also mandates an annual report to Congress and the public detailing the Office's activities, outreach efforts, and the status of interagency cooperation, including any memoranda of understanding.