A bipartisan group of lawmakers are calling on the Small Business Administration to address data breach issues that compromised the privacy of applicants for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza last week seeking details on an incident that resulted in the exposure of small business owners’ personally identifiable information used fro EIDL applications.

They said the SBA must submit a complete account of the incident, the number of applicants affected and steps taken to notify impacted entities and secure future loan applications.

Cardin, Rubio and Velazquez noted that they appreciate SBA taking “an unprecedented role” in federal COVID-19 response which has helped Congress and providing funding for relief and recovery efforts, including $675 million for the CARES Act and $2.1 billion in interim supplemental funds.

Rubio is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, where Cardin serves as a ranking member. Velazquez is the chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service will award $1.5 million in total to seven rural communities through a new Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation grant program, the department reported on Monday.

“The Forest Service is taking advantage of this new program to invest in rural communities motivated to convert leftovers from their local sawmills or forestry operations into renewable wood energy,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.

USDA’s new program will help to fund the costs of installing wood energy systems and building innovative wood product facilities in rural communities nationwide, which has been granted through the 2018 Farm Bill. The awardees have been selected from five states and will use locally sourced wood to reduce energy costs and fossil fuel use while supporting local forest management.

In addition to the funds awarded through the new grant program, awardees will leverage an additional $3.4 million in matching funds. Together the seven communities are projected to save more than $250 thousand a year by using locally supplied, renewable wood energy. 

The program will also fund wood energy facilities, typically manufacturing or processing plants, including sawmills, that make products like building components, such as mass timber and other innovative offerings made from low-value or low-quality wood.

“The communities will save on energy costs and enhance energy resilience while sustainably managing their forests. These infrastructure investments immediately create permanent jobs for rural Americans determined to keep their communities vibrant and self-sufficient,” added Christiansen. 

About USDA

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

Boeing has completed another COVID-19 transport mission, using a Boeing Dreamlifter to bring personal protective equipment (PPE) from Hong Kong to the United States, the company reported on Monday.

Boeing has partnered with Prisma Health, Atlas Air Worldwide and Discommon founder Neil Ferrier to transport 1.5 million medical-grade face masks bound for healthcare professionals at Prisma Health in South Carolina.

“Boeing is making another significant investment in our state by partnering with other South Carolina businesses to help combat this deadly virus. South Carolinians are unique in their compassion and care for one another. The businesses that have collaborated to make this delivery possible are an embodiment of those qualities, and we owe a debt of gratitude to each of them,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.

Discommon, the importer of record for the delivery, secured production of the PPE from trusted manufacturers in China and turned to Boeing to facilitate their transport to Prisma Health, the Boeing has donated the cost of the mission transport.

The Dreamlifter, a converted Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter, flew from Hong Kong to Greenville, South Carolina, with the face masks in its lower lobe. Following the delivery, the Dreamlifter will return to its home base in North Charleston, South Carolina and deliver 787 Dreamliner parts in support of the global aerospace supply chain.

Boeing will continue to support local communities and healthcare professionals working to stop the spread of COVID-19. Additional airlift transport missions with the Boeing Dreamlifter and ecoDemonstrator are planned in the future.

“Boeing is proud to be part of this historic flight to bring vital PPE to healthcare workers across South Carolina. I want to offer my personal thanks to the Boeing team and our Atlas Air partners for what they’ve done to support this essential mission and ensure our frontline healthcare workers have the equipment they critically need,” said Dave Calhoun, president and CEO, Boeing.

About Boeing

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries.

Boeing employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.