H.R. 9818 — Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act of 2026

This section establishes the Women’s Business Center Program and expands eligible entities to include states, institutions of higher education, and certain economic development or finance corporations. It authorizes initial and continuation grants of up to $300,000 annually (inflation-adjusted) for 5-year terms to operate centers providing counseling and training on business formation, credit access, management, and marketing, with emphasis on small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women.

This section continues existing grants under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act to nonprofit organizations under their prior terms and conditions, but bars recipients from applying for continuations under the former section 29(m)(5). It authorizes the Small Business Administration to award replacement grants under the amended section 29 for the period beginning after the current grant ends and ending at the close of the third fiscal year after enactment.

This section directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue regulations implementing section 29 of the Small Business Act within 270 days of enactment, with a public comment period of at least 60 days.