WASHINGTON, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On February 8-9, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, will travel to Maui, Hawaii to mark six months since the devastating wildfires. She will be joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and other federal and local officials throughout the trip.

On Thursday, February 8, Administrator Guzman will speak at a press conference alongside local and federal officials to highlight the progress of Maui’s recovery over the last six months and discuss a path forward for continued recovery efforts. She will also participate in private meetings with federal officials, non-profits, and local community leaders involved in Maui’s recovery, visit a Disaster Recovery Center with Administrator Criswell to underscore the Biden-Harris Administration's whole-of-government response to the Maui wildfires and meet with small business owners impacted by the wildfires.

On Friday, February 9, Administrator Guzman will visit a Business Recovery Center and then meet with local business leaders and owners to discuss the SBA’s role in Maui’s economic recovery. She will also join other federal officials on a tour of a temporary elementary school expected to be completed this month and join the Maui County Mayor’s Advisory Committee to meet with residents who lost their homes in the fire and discuss how the SBA helps homeowners and renters in the wake of disaster.

Outside of the press conference, all events are closed press. Please contact rebecca.galanti@sba.gov for interview requests or questions.

Media planning to attend the press conference should send name and news organization by Thursday 7:30 a.m. to erika.engle@hawaii.gov and mia.m.noguchi@hawaii.gov.   

Thursday, February 8

Maui Recovery Press Conference

WHO:            SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman
                      Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D.
                      Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen
                      FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell
                      HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Marion McFadden
                      EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Cheree Peterson

WHEN:          9:30-10:30 a.m. HST

WHERE:       University of Hawaii Maui College, 310 W Ka‘ahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI – Ka’a’ike Building, Room 105B

PRESS:        This event is for invited guests and media only. Credentialed members of the media are invited to participate in person. For media unable to attend in person, the news conference will be live-streamed on Governor Green’s Facebook page. All journalists are asked to RSVP. Those attending remotely may send questions in advance or submit them during the news conference via text to Makana McClellan (808-265-0083, makana.mcclellan@hawaii.gov).

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Christine Saah Nazer
U.S. Small Business Administration
press_office@sba.gov