Contact:
Molly Brogan
202-552-2904
mbrogan@nsba.biz

Washington, D.C. - NSBA today launched a new initiative aimed at the incoming 111th Congress and President-elect Obama's administration, reminding them that the best way to revive the ailing US economy is to think big and start small. Announced in the midst of another round of corporate-bailout discussions in Congress that will likely make no attempt to address the difficulties faced by small business, the NSBA "Think Big. Start Small." initiative will focus lawmakers on one undisputed fact: small business has been, and must continue to be, the engine that drives the U.S. economy.

"We find ourselves in the midst of a recession with major U.S. corporations once again calling on the U.S. taxpayers for a bailout," stated NSBA President Todd McCracken. "It is my hope that, rather than being an afterthought, Congress and the incoming administration will treat small business as a vital partner in any effort to jump-start the U.S. economy."

In addition to urging the 111th Congress and Obama administration to "Think Big. Start Small.", NSBA is calling on lawmakers this week to consider the importance of small business to the U.S. economy and ensure that a portion of any federal aid package flows to small business. Small-business owners have been subjected to months and months of limited or no credit availability at precisely the time they need it the most.

Looking forward to the coming months and projected continuation of the current recession, NSBA's "Think Big. Start Small." initiative calls for a White House Conference on Small Business, promoting the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration to Cabinet-level status, and including small business in any key policy discussion. With 70 million people in the U.S. working for or running a small business, NSBA is committed to raising awareness of the broad implications any policy decision can have on the small-business community and the overall economy.

"Small-business owners know that the challenges we face didn't end with the 2008 election cycle," said NSBA incoming 2009 Chair Keith Ashmus. "We also know that Congress and the new administration will need our help, which is why we launched the "Think Big. Start Small." initiative to get the ball rolling on the issues that really matter to small business."

The "Think Big. Start Small." initiative spotlights a number of proposals that stand to significantly help America's small businesses today and in the years to come, including: credit-card reform, lower fees on SBA loans, an increased share of the Energy Star budget dedicated to small business, elimination of the Self-Employment tax on health insurance, and health care reform that reduces costs, improves quality, and covers all individuals.

For more information on NSBA's "Think Big. Start Small." initiative, please visit www.nsba.biz/startsmall

Since 1937, NSBA has advocated on behalf of America's entrepreneurs. A staunchly nonpartisan organization, NSBA reaches more than 150,000 small businesses nationwide and is proud to be the nation's first small-business advocacy organization. For more information, please visit www.nsba.biz