two years in office entrepreneurs have applied to start more new small businesses that did to any other two year period in history. In addition, President Barack and I have invested billions in American manufacturing. Now, put this in context. Since most manufacturing companies are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Our investment in American manufacturing is also an investment in America's small businesses. All this to say, America's economic future looks bright practice and the president vibe when I will keep firing forward. And that includes expanding support, and access to capital for small business owners. So many of you may know as Vice President honored throughout our nation, from the world with an ad to small towns in New Hampshire to Indian country, to meet with small business owners and entrepreneurs. And when I sit down and talk with folks, I often will ask them, of all the challenges you as a small business owner as an entrepreneur, because of all the challenges you face, what is your biggest concern, and almost 201, the answer they will give me is access to capital. They either want to start a business or they want to grow a business, but don't have the relationships with the big banks. And so for years, we have worked to expand investment in community banks. Because you see community many specialize in providing loans and financial assistance to small business owners, in particular, those in overlooked and underserved communities, including rural communities. And as the name suggests, community bikes are in from the community. They understand the needs of the people they serve. They understand the capacity and the opportunity, such as the capacity and an opportunity of this community, that big banks often. And so building on the work that has occurred at legacy, and I would say the senator, and since taking office, President Biden and I have invested nearly $12 billion in our community banks. And last year, I was so proud to convene consumer banks, investment firms, technology companies and philanthropies to launch a first of its kind, Public Private Partnership in support of our small businesses. And what we did is we combined the expertise and the experience of the private sector, with the reach and the capacity that only government can provide. And as a result, we have secured billions of dollars in private sector investment for small businesses. In order to expand access to capital, we have to think outside the box. And in particular, we feel a sense of responsibility to find innovative ways to support our