WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) is praising this week's passage of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act. The bill establishes a Small Business Lending Fund that will assist banks in increasing small business capital investment lending. The bill also creates a State Small Business Credit Initiative that allocates federal funds for states to partner with financial institutions by directly addressing the cash flow and collateral challenges facing small manufacturers.
 
"Both of these provisions are absolutely necessary to increase credit availability down through the smallest manufacturer, especially parts suppliers," said Bob McKenna, MEMA's president and CEO. "MEMA has worked very closely with the administration and key supporters of the legislation who have been instrumental in addressing the credit needs of small suppliers. We are very pleased to see that the bill has passed the House.
 
"These programs are essential to help our industry and other manufacturing sectors move forward," McKenna continued. "We believe that they will help generate the private financing necessary for small businesses to innovate and create new jobs, a critical step in our national economic recovery. We hope that the Senate will quickly take up this legislation so it can be signed by the President and enacted as soon as possible."