AI for Main Street Act
Summary
The AI for Main Street Act would direct the Small Business Administration's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to assist small businesses in evaluating and adopting artificial intelligence. Currently, many small businesses lack the knowledge or staff to effectively implement AI practices. The bill would require the roughly 1,000 SBDCs across all 50 states to provide outreach, education, and hands-on guidance to help small business owners understand and implement AI tools into their operations. The guidance would cover topics such as using AI to plan for unexpected circumstances, protect data and intellectual property, improve cybersecurity, facilitate regulatory compliance, and improve customer trust.
The bill leverages existing SBDC infrastructure rather than creating new agencies or programs. It does not allocate new funding or provide grants for small businesses to purchase AI tools. Instead, it directs SBDCs to use their existing resources to add AI training and advisory services to their current offerings. The focus is on education and guidance rather than direct financial assistance. The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support on January 20, 2026, and is now in the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.