DES MOINES, Iowa – On Friday, August 23, 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 34 million small businesses, traveled to Iowa to meet with disaster survivors and assess SBA recovery efforts following devastating tornadoes and severe weather earlier this year.

In the morning, Administrator Guzman visited McMorran Lawn for a tour and meeting with two small business owners, Rodney McMorran and David Swanson, who endured tornado damage to their businesses. Administrator Guzman spent time talking with McMorran and Swanson about their experiences with the SBA’s loan application process and the impact these resources have had on their recovery process.

Administrator Guzman then visited the SBA’s Greenfield Disaster Recovery Center to speak with staff about their successes, thank them for their work, and receive feedback as Iowa officials navigate continued severe weather disaster recovery in their local community. Afterward, Administrator Guzman met with Greenfield homeowners impacted by the storms who have been approved for SBA loans to hear about their recovery and experiences working with the SBA.

In the afternoon, Administrator Guzman joined federal, state, local, and nonprofit partners alongside business leaders in West Des Moines to discuss recovery efforts throughout the state of Iowa. Participants included representatives from FEMA, the Iowa Small Business Development Center, Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa State University, Iowa Lakes Community College, the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and the office of Senator Chuck Grassley.

In recognition of National Black Business Month, Administrator Guzman wrapped up her Iowa visit with a trip to Blk & Bold Specialty Beverages, the first Black-owned national coffee distributor. Owners Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson gave the Administrator a tour of the facility, shared their business journal, and discussed how SBA loans have contributed to their success.

For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Rebecca Galanti at rebecca.galanti@sba.gov.