1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Back to Basics Job Creation Act of 2017 . 2. Back to Basics Job Creation grant program Subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 2010. Back to Basics Job Creation grant program (a) Grants (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce, shall make grants to eligible entities to assist low-income individuals and individuals who have been unemployed for at least 3 months in developing self-employment opportunities. (2) Timing of grant awards Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall obligate not less than half of any funds appropriated for grants under this section. (3) Preference In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities— (A) that serve communities that have experienced high levels of poverty and unemployment and low levels of reemployment, as determined by the Secretary using data reported by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (B) that demonstrate an ability to administer activities using the grant funds without acquiring new administrative structures or resources, such as staffing, technology, evaluation activities, training, research, and programming; and (C) that have established partnerships with other government agencies, community based organizations, financial institutions, educational institutions, or business organizations. (b) Use of funds (1) In general An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the grant— (A) to provide education and training for business and financial literacy, certification, small business plan development, entrepreneurship, and patent and copyright processes