Contact:
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766
mhaller@franchise.org
jweisbord@franchise.org

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15-The International Franchise Association President & CEO Steve Caldeira released the following statement today regarding President Obama's plans to nominate Maria Contreras-Sweet as the head of the Small Business Administration.

"The SBA Administrator plays a critical role in ensuring the voice of the small business community is heard within the administration and IFA looks forward to a swift confirmation for Maria Contreras-Sweet.

"Her impressive background in the public and private sector will ensure the administration fills the vacancy left by former Administrator Mills, who was a strong champion for small business and franchising on a multitude of issues.  Former Administrator Mills helped spur credit access in the SBA's 7a and 504 loan programs that were critical to helping franchises grow during the economic recovery, navigating the challenges posed to small businesses in the Affordable Care Act, and supporting programs that help veterans pursue small business ownership opportunities in franchising."

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About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.

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