Of Counsel
Small Business --
By brad douglas
Kansas City takes pride in its small business community as well it should. The area boasts one of the most progressive and active small business arenas in the country with a long list of achievements and resources. The Midwest region's Office of Small Business Advocacy exists to sustain and protect that community .
Created in 1976 by the U.S. Congress, the office is mandated to represent the interests of small business owners objectively to the federal government. Although Advocacy is separate and distinct from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), it receives its congressional funding through the SBA and often works closely with the agency. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Jere Glover, oversees a staff of 40 persons in Washington, D.C. and a Regional Advocate in each of the 10 federal regions. Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and small business owners across the U.S. work closely with the Office of Advocacy to help shape policies affecting small business. The word "Pride" itself can be used to outline how advocacy helps small business owners:
P: Providing important and necessary information is one of the primary functions of the Regional Advocate. Advocacy is one of the largest repositories of information on small business. Its Economic Research staff works to develop and distribute the latest research and statistics on small business for the federal government, state agencies and local economic development agencies and business chambers.
R: Regulatory requirements, paperwork and costs are often cited as an enormous problem for small businesses. The Office of Advocacy acts as the regulatory "watchdog" for small businesses by working with key federal agencies to ensure that proposed regulations are less onerous to small business owners. Thanks to 1996 legislation passed by Congress and the President, Advocacy has the "teeth" to significantly shape newly proposed regulations affecting small businesses every day. Over $5.3 billion was saved by small businesses in regulatory savings last year alone due to Advocacy's involvement in the policy-making process. In cases where a federal agency challenges Advocacy's position on a proposed rule, the courts can now also review the issue. This fact alone has caused federal agencies to begin working closely with Advocacy on rules affecting small businesses and has resulted in many victories for the small business owner.
I: Identifying the issues and programs that impact state and local small businesses is a primary function for the Regional Advocate. Small business owners, policy-makers, chambers and economic development groups help provide input into Advocacy. The Regional Advocate may host roundtable discussions to find out what issues are facing the small business community today in this region.
D: Development of small business contacts throughout the region is an ongoing activity for the Regional Advocate. Small businesses often are at a loss as to where to turn for information and resources. The Regional Advocate serves as a facilitator to help business owners by developing an extensive network of small business linkages to pass information on to small business owners. The nation's best programs for helping small businesses are also recognized across the country through the Vision 2000 Conference and Models of Excellence Awards.
E: Finally, Advocacy's 10 Regional Advocates serve as the "eyes and ears" for the Chief Counsel of Advocacy. The information learned here in the Midwest is taken directly to Washington, D.C. (as well as the state legislatures). The Chief Counsel, in turn, works directly with Congress and the Administration to help formulate the best policies for small businesses. This process gives business owners a voice in government -- no small matter of pride!
Brad Douglas is the Regional Administrator for the SBA and the Regional Advocate for Small Business. Phone: 816.374.6380, extension 230, or e-mail bradley.douglas@sba.gov.