Giving small business another voice
09/09/2008 by David Chapman Staff Writer Small businesses in the area have another group looking out for them. The Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council, composed of nine small or former small business owners, was formed during this year’s legislative session and became effective July 1. “It should act as another voice for small business owners in the area,” said Paul Arrington, a certified business analyst with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of North Florida. “Small business” is defined as an independently owned or operated business that has 200 or fewer employees and a net worth of $5 million or less.The UNF center is one of the 34 affiliates of Florida SBDC Network, the principal business assistance organization in the state and will house the new Council. According to the Department of Education’s executive summary, Council powers and responsibilities include: providing agencies (any governing body that could affect small businesses) with recommendations on proposed rules that could affect small businesses; considering requests from small businesses to review rules or programs along with property rights of small businesses; and reviewing any agency rules to determine whether any rules create an unnecessary burden on small businesses. The nine Council members are appointed by Florida’s governor, senate president and speaker of the house and are to submit a written report on an annual basis. One of the Council’s first appointments, Keyna Cory, is president of the Tallahassee-based Public Affairs Consultants and has been a small business owner for over 20 years. “I know what it’s like to be a small business owner,” she said. “My goal is to go back and see if the rules and regulations make sense.” Cory, along with Toby Oberdorf of Palm City, Fla., was appointed by the Senate president’s office. The office has yet to name its third member, while the governor’s office and speaker of the house have yet to nominate any members to the Council. When all the appointments have been made, Arrington said he anticipates working with the Council and is looking forward to hearing about potential changes. “In the future, we’ll most likely hold hearings with the Council to go over things we’ve heard and seen that affect our local small businesses,” said Arrington. Though not affiliated with the local SBDC at UNF, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s own Small Business Center does have a relationship with the organization, said Bob Baldwin, senior vice president of community development for the Chamber. “We’re quick to provide input whenever we can,” said Baldwin, who noted some of the most consistent concerns he hears regard affordable and accessible healthcare for small businesses. Baldwin said he is still learning about the new Council but like Arrington, believes it can only help with communication to elected officials. According to officials at both the governor’s office and speaker of the house office, appointments for the committee should be made within the next couple months. For Cory, though, it can’t come soon enough. “I’m excited and ready to go now,” she said. dchapman@baileypub.com 356-2466
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