Brooklyn's Progress
April 2004

Early Sunday, Feb. 22, small business owners from across the nation began their winter meeting in Boca Raton, Fla.  As the nation focuses on presidential election year issues concerning homeland security, the economy and jobs, VR Small, owner of Small Industries, joined nearly 40 other Small Business Council members to hear policy-makers and political insiders outline the agenda for federal pro-business initiatives of the United States Chamber of Commerce.

The business conference in Boca Raton, Fla., is one of three annual meetings held by the Small Business Council.  The winter sessions set the tone for the year, allowing members to obtain first-hand information on federal action that could affect small business owners across the nation.  Small Industries is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council.

Ms. Small noted, “Being a member of the Small Business Council has been a unique experience, allowing me to interact with small businesses owners from around the nation who are making their mark and playing a major role in the economics of this country.” The Council, made up of 80 companies, is one of the grass roots arms of the U.S. Chamber that deals exclusively with small business interests. 

“Small businesses are the backbone of our current economic expansion,” said Giovanni Coratolo, Director of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and organizer of the winter meeting.  “They employ 53 percent of the private work force and account for virtually all of the net new jobs.  Federal initiatives which affect the small business bottom line are of the utmost national importance and must be very carefully considered.” 
The two most important areas of concern presented by Council members focused on the cost and accessibility of health care insurance and potential federal minimum wage increases; however, access to federal procurement opportunities for small businesses and particularly minority and women owned businesses continues to be an issue that concerns many members of the Council.

Ms. Small noted, “As a small business owner, procurement is key to my ability to grow and expand.  Procurement issues can never be put on the back burner, but must stay in the forefront of any pro-small business agenda.  Federal goals for small business procurement as well as government agencies compliance with these goals are essential to the continued growth of all small businesses.”

The Small Business Council consistently reviews strategies to support local chamber efforts related to federal issues.  Clearly, health care cost and accessibility are key issues for Brooklyn businesses, ranked as the second top obstacle to growth in the Brooklyn Chamber’s 2004 Member Issues Survey. 

The Small Business Council’s 2003 summer and fall sessions included presentations from Gregory F. Jenner, who at the time was serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Tax Policy for the U.S. Department of the Treasury; Michael Barrera, National Small Business Ombudsman; Angela Styles, Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy for the Office of Management and Budget; Patricia Mead, GSA Federal Supply Schedule Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Acquisition Management, and many more speakers providing Council members with first hand information and an intimate conversation with decision makers on the Hill. 

This year, VR Small and other Small Business Council members began the winter session with updates from senior advisors with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on International Trade, Environment, Technology, Regulatory Policy, Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits during the first day of meetings.  Additionally, the Business Horizon Retreat, which was held on the second day, included a presentation from Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services on administration priorities on health care and bio-terrorism readiness.

The Council’s agenda is a major focus as the country moves towards a presidential election where small business is sure to be a key issue.  Suzanne Clark, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President & COO, announced at this meeting that the U.S. Chamber intends to have its first Small Business Summit Sept. 7 through 9 in Washington, D.C.  The Council seeks to play a pivotal role in the planning, implementation and follow-up on issues for this Summit.  Council members noted they wanted more than just an information session.  They want a summit that set goals and takes action to ensure accountability for achievement from political representatives.