WASHINGTON, Jan. 13-International Franchise Association President & CEO Steve Caldeira released the following statement today following President Obama’s announcement that he will exercise executive authority to elevate SBA Administrator Karen Mills to a Cabinet-level position.

“Today’s announcement by President Obama to elevate SBA Administrator Karen Mills to a Cabinet-level position serves as a stamp of approval for her diligent and proven work to improve small business access to credit during a still very-challenging economic and public policy environment. Small business access to credit is the number one challenge facing prospective and existing franchisees and any steps that will enhance small business access to credit will help to boost our economy and create the jobs our country so desperately needs.”

“While details of the proposed changes to the SBA and other government agencies are still unclear, under the leadership of Administrator Mills, the SBA has been a lifeline to the franchise community that has had difficulty acquiring loans in the commercial lending market during the economic downturn, increasing lending to record levels and reducing lender paperwork for SBA loans. With franchise small businesses poised for modest growth of 2.0 percent in 2012, access to capital, particularly through the SBA’s 7(a) lending program, will be critical to achieving our forecasted growth.”

“As part of any proposed reorganization, it would be essential that SBA loan programs remain intact and at their current funding levels, to ensure franchise small businesses can continue to access capital through these successful loan programs.”

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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.