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Did you know that the federal government provides opportunities in contracting, business development and other programs for Native American small business owners? During National Native American Heritage Month, take the time to learn more about these programs and services. Learn more Why Veterans are Well-Suited to Become Business Owners—And the Lessons You can Learn from Them By Robert Irvine Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. The average worker bee might complain about their lousy boss or the inefficiency of their company and muse on how much better things would be if they were in charge, but the fact is few people have the rare combination of energy, guts, and determination to actually go out and create a business of their own. In short: most people would rather deal with a situation they hate than do what’s necessary to become their own boss. I understand why. Read more Empowering Gen Z Entrepreneurs at the SBA’s Youth Entrepreneurship Summit By Associate Administrator of the SBA Office of Entrepreneurial Development, Allen Gutierrez  Did you know that 20% of Gen Zs see themselves starting a business in their first five years out of college? Gen Zs are enterprising and entrepreneurial, and they’re already taking the small business sector by storm. Twenty-one-year-old Jaylen Bledsoe started Bledsoe Global Group at the age of 13, and his business has since boomed into a multimillion-dollar company. Read more HUBZone News The SBA issued a direct final rule that will allow governors to seek HUBZone designation for certain rural areas, including Opportunity Zones. This expansion of HUBZone areas will provide a valuable resource to small businesses in underserved communities to foster economic development and job creation – creating a pathway to the middle class for the residents of distressed areas.  Learn more Get Your Nomination in Today Don’t be shy, we want you to brag. The SBA is accepting nominations for its 2020 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year. Tell us your story for a chance to receive one of the nation’s highest honors for small business achievement. Submit your nomination Protect Your Small Business from Cybercrime Did you know that 43 percent of cybercrime around the world is targeted at small businesses? The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has created Cyber Essentials, a guide which includes cybersecurity best practices for small businesses.    Learn more Get Inspired: Small Business Success Story Meet the entrepreneurs who help guitarists rock! Jamie Stillman and Julie Robbins, owners of EarthQuaker Devices, started their guitar special effects pedal business in a basement. Since then, the Akron, Ohio-based business has moved into a renovated two-story 15,000 sq. ft. building, where more than 57 employees make and distribute products to 47 countries around the world. Read Jamie and Julie's story 10 Tips for Small Business Saturday Success For millions of small businesses across the United States, it’s getting close to the most wonderful time of the year: Small Business Saturday! Celebrated two days after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday is a way for consumers to usher in the busy holiday shopping season and make an impact in their community by supporting independently owned businesses. Read more News: November 22, 2019   Jobs for Wisconsin U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Wisconsin this week with Vice President Mike Pence, where they discussed the Pledge to Americas Workers. In Sturgeon Bay, they met with workers and employers from Fincantieri Marine Group, a shipbuilder that has pledged to hire 700 full-time workers and offer 3,000 enhanced career opportunities over the next five years.   $2.5+ Billion Restored by EBSA The Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration restored more than $2.5 billion to plans, participants, and beneficiaries; hosted 1,788 compliance assistance events; and provided assistance to 166,000 people in fiscal year 2019.   USMCA and Jobs In radio and television interviews at this week's White House Media Row, Secretary Scalia discussed how the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement would create more jobs and opportunities for America's workers.   In Case You Missed It Winter Weather As temperatures drop across the country, OSHA's winter weather resources can help workers and employers avoid common safety hazards. Healthcare Transparency A Department proposal with the Departments of Health and Human Services and the Treasury would increase price transparency in healthcare. Inclusive Apprenticeships Innovative strategies for inclusive apprenticeship programs can help more Americans with disabilities acquire skills for in-demand jobs. Visa Enforcement An administrative law judge has ordered a New Jersey farm to pay $556,745 in back wages and penalties for guest worker visa program violations. Safety Compensation OSHA ordered UPS Freight to compensate a worker who faced retaliation after refusing to drive without safety measures. Visa Violations A Department investigation found that a Florida farm labor contractor violated H-2A guest worker visa program requirements.   Stat of the Week Record-Low Unemployment Nine states reported record low jobless rates in October 2019, including Alabama, California, Maine, and South Carolina, which set new series lows.   Compliance Assistance Highlight Government Contracts The government contracts compliance assistance toolkit has guidance on wage and hour laws for federal contractors. "Understanding the Yukon" Webinar  December 12, 2019, 3 - 4 p.m. ET $25 per participant     Ready to pursue new export horizons?  Understand the mining, telecom and construction export opportunities in Yukon, Canada.  Join Peter Johnston, Grand Chief of the Yukon Council of First Nations; James Rigassio, Senior Commercial Officer of the U.S. Commercial Service; industry leaders and experts, in this dialogue.      The Summary of NLRB decisions for the week of November 12 - 15, 2019 is now available on the NLRB’s website.  The summary can be accessed by clicking the links below. https://www.nlrb.gov/cases-decisions/weekly-summaries-decisions/summary-nlrb-decisions-week-november-12-15-2019 Questions? Contact Us Federal Register Announcements for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker 11/21/2019 12:00 AM EST Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker For more information, please visit our USCIS Federal Register Announcements page. USCIS today issued policy guidance explaining how USCIS applies Matter of Stockwell and clarifying when USCIS may adjust the status of an alien whose Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status has been terminated. An immigration judge does not need to affirm the termination of CPR status before the alien can file a new adjustment of status application. An alien with CPR status obtains lawful permanent resident status either based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (if the marriage is less than two years at the time the alien adjusts status or is admitted for lawful permanent resident status) or based on an immigrant investor (EB-5) visa. An alien with CPR status is generally ineligible to adjust their status on a new basis under the provisions of section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. However, USCIS may adjust an alien’s status if their CPR status has been terminated and: The alien has a new basis for adjustment of status; The alien is otherwise eligible to adjust status; and USCIS has jurisdiction over the adjustment of status application. Time spent in the prior CPR status does not count toward the residency requirements for naturalization. This guidance applies to adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS on or after Nov. 21, 2019. News for the Federal Acquisition Workforce November 21, 2019 OFPP Acquisition Flash 2: Additional Training and Development Options to Consider in FY 2020 OFPP encourages the following training opportunities: * Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) Training and Development Program - up to 80 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs). * Leadership Training- find leadership training options for acquisition professionals on Project InReach Hub. * Publicly Available Learning Assets  - everything from interpersonal skills, leadership, difficult conversations, communication, public speaking, problem solving, and more! * Present at an agency, industry or professional association conference - 1 CLP per hour * Develop brown bag training for your organization - 1 CLP per hour * Be a mentor or coach; pass on your knowledge and skills - 1 CLP per hour * Try an innovative technique in your upcoming acquisition - earn up to 3 CLPs * Do a rotational assignment in another functional area (finance, performance or IT), with your customer or in another agency - between 20 to 80 CLPs depending on length of the assignment. * Experience Open Opportunities- a short term experiential project in an area you're interested in - 1 CLP per hour.  Be sure to share these ideas with your acquisition teams, colleagues, and customers. Send questions to the OFPP InReach Inbox at MBX.OMB.OFPP.ProjectInReach@OMB.eop.gov or post them on the acquisition gateway on the InReach discussion board. Direct from the U.S House of Representatives, Office of the Law Revision Counsel: "U.S Code 2018 Series" for an in-depth federal government law reference. For a comprehensive reference covering federal law revisions, refer to the United States Code, 2018 Edition. The United States Code is the Code of Laws of the United States of America and is a compilation and codification by subject matter of all the general and permanent Federal laws of the United States. Examples of codes specific to key federal organizations are: U.S. Code 2018 Edition, Vol. 3, Title 7, Agriculture U.S. Code 2108 Edition Vol. 3. Title 7, Agriculture Sections 1-116 U. S. Code 2018 Edition, Vol. 5. Title 10 Armed Forces U.S. Code 2018 Edition, Vol. 6, Title 10, Armed Forces U.S. Code 2018 Edition, Vol. 2,  Title 5, Government Organization and Employees U.S. Code 2018 Edition, Vol. 1, Title 1, General Provisions To Review all Codes above and purchase click here.