On Friday, Nov. 13, NSBA reached out to President-Elect Barack Obama and his transition team to outline key issues for small business. Although Obama doesn’t take office until Jan. 20, the next several weeks are critical to his transition team in crafting the new administration structurally as well as formulating an agenda. NSBA highlighted ways the Obama administration can help ensure that small businesses can survive, grow, and help lead the U.S. out of our current economic situation. 

NSBA’s suggestions, which were structurally-focused, included the need for small business to be represented at any economic summit or national conference, given our significant role in the U.S. economy and the fact that any policy will have far-reaching implications for the small-business community.  Any efforts to deal with the economy ought to also include provisions to deal effectively with the small-business credit crunch as well as the need to enhance small business’ ability to export their goods and services.

NSBA also called on Obama to elevate the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to Cabinet-level status and dedicate senior staff on the National Economic Council to small business. Additionally, NSBA urged a strengthened SBA and Office of Advocacy in the SBA. Given the current economic slowdown, now is the time to consider a new and enhanced mission for this critical agency as well as the Office of Advocacy.

As the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy group working in a strictly nonpartisan manner, NSBA looks forward to working with the Obama administration on key issues for the 70 million individuals in the U.S. that run or work for a small business.