An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 111-121 to create a new section and authorize funding for small business development centers to assist small manufacturers that are transitioning into growth sectors.

1. Adds SEC. 708. SMALL MANUFACTURERS TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM on page 50, line 16

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. 708. SMALL MANUFACTURERS TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

   Inserted: Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

   Inserted: "(s) Small Manufacturers Transition Assistance Program.--

   Inserted: "(1) In general.--The Administration shall establish a grant program for small business development centers in accordance with this subsection. To be eligible for the program, a small business development center must be in good standing and comply with the other requirements of this section. Funds made available through the program shall be used to--

   Inserted: "(A) provide technical assistance and expertise to small manufacturers with respect to changing operations to another industry sector or reorganizing operations to increase efficiency and profitability;

   Inserted: "(B) assist marketing of the capabilities of small manufacturers outside the principal area of operations of such manufacturers;

   Inserted: "(C) facilitate peer-to-peer and mentor-protege relationships between small manufacturers and corporations and Federal agencies; and

   Inserted: "(D) conduct outreach activities to local small manufacturers with respect to the availability of the services described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).

   Inserted: "(2) Definition of small manufacturer.--In this subsection, the term 'small manufacturer' means a small business concern engaged in an industry specified in sectors 31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industry Classification System in section 121.201 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations.

   Inserted: "(3) Award size limit.--The Administration may not award an entity more than $250,000 in grant funds under this subsection.

   Inserted: "(4) Authority.--Subject to amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts and separate from amounts approved to carry out the program established in subsection (a)(1), the Administration may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry out this subsection.

   Inserted: "(5) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,500,000 for the purposes of carrying out this subsection for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.".

   Original wording

   Page 50, after line 16, add the following new section:

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As printed