Minority Enterprise Development Week 2009 was a great opportunity to celebrate “Energizing the American Economy with Minority Business Enterprises.” I attended a panel on Thursday morning, August 27 (following an excellent keynote address by Earvin “Magic” Johnson) that featured, as moderator, Derek Dingle, Editor in Chief of Black Enterprise magazine; Aubyn Thomas, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Macy’s; Adrienne T. White, Senior Manager for the African American Market for WalMart and Sam’s Club; and Joseph James of Agri-Tech Producers, LLC. 

Joe James’s business, the only small business represented on the panel, particularly caught my attention. Agri-Tech is commercializing a technology ”using extreme heat on biomass in a low-oxygen environment…to produce a fuel that is easier to transport and store and is carbon neutral.” 

Mr. James, an economic developer by trade for more than 30 years, was astute in obtaining the license to commercialize the technology, which was developed at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and is being manufactured by a partner firm—one of several candidates he interviewed. He encouraged entrepreneurs, particularly those interested in energy industries, to work with the Departments of Energy and Agriculture, with Biomass Councils and with the American Association of Blacks in Energy to learn more about developing their products.

Other innovative ideas surfaced during the Q&A. In response to a question from a small business owner interested in retrofitting large spaces for better energy efficiency, both Adrienne White and Aubyn Thomas encouraged participation in their supplier diversity programs. Adrienne said that mega-retailers WalMart and Sam’s Club are moving toward producing “100 percent zero waste” and becoming energy self-sufficient. They are also finding ways to use local and locally grown products by turning some supplier decision making over to local stores. It’s a way for small businesses to participate as suppliers, and possibly to grow toward larger markets.

 

– Kathryn Tobias, Senior Editor

            Interested in the relationship between gender and the finances accessed by entrepreneurial firms, or venture capital and the commercialization of technology?  How about business angels, minority entrepreneurship, rural innovators, entrepreneurship in urban areas, veteran business owners, or the cost of regulation?  Perhaps you need to know more about entrepreneurial creativity, firm or job creation, home-based business, federal procurement, survival rates, health care, exporting, or business succession planning. 

            Whatever your small business passion, someone is likely to have studied it.  All of these topics and hundreds more are among those explored by authors who have made use of Advocacy research over the past decade and a half.  Studies citing Advocacy research between 1992 and 2007 are listed by author, study cited, and topic in Office of Advocacy Research Academic Citation Study, 1992-2007.  Take a look at it—it’s a great reference source and an interesting exploration for students and advocates of small business. 

– Kathryn Tobias, Senior Editor

            Last week, Massachusetts state regulators responded to complaints from small businesses and stakeholder groups by issuing revised regulations aimed at preventing identity theft by computer hackers.  Small business supporters opposed the original version of the rule, which was released last year.  They included Advocacy’s former Region I Advocate, Steve Adams, who expressed concern that the rules would be too burdensome for smaller businesses to implement. 

            Barbara Anthony, Governor Deval Patrick’s undersecretary of consumer affairs and business regulations, said the latest rules are designed to be more flexible for small firms while still requiring tougher standards for protecting sensitive data from hackers.

             “In listening to the concerns of small business leaders, we understand there were issues regarding the impact these regulations have on those companies,” said Undersecretary Anthony.  “These updated regulations feature a fair balance between consumer protections and business realities.”  

            The new rules are slated to take effect next March.  The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations will hold a public hearing on the changes on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston.  

            For more information about identity theft protection in Massachusetts, please visit the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website, www.mass.gov/consumer.   

– Kate Reichert, Regulatory and Legislative Counsel

            On August 13, Advocacy submitted comments supporting EPA’s December 2008 final rule, which would allow exclusion of certain hazardous materials from the hazardous waste requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).  This regulatory relief has been sought by the small business community for over 20 years.  This issue was among the top ten regulatory reform items in Advocacy’s r3 initiative. 

            Our comments affirm the soundness of EPA’s judgment in the final rule, which will help small businesses and allow responsible recycling in lieu of requiring disposal.  In our view, the rule is carefully tailored to address the hazards of recycling, and therefore EPA expects no net harm to the environment or public health.  

– Kevin Bromberg, Assistant Chief Counsel

Additional Research Contracting Opportunity 

The Office of Advocacy’s mission includes providing research documenting the status of small businesses and the impact of important trends on them.  Section 105 of Public Law 110-385 requires the Office of Advocacy to conduct a study to evaluate the impact of broadband speed and price on small businesses.  The study must also include the following:

    (a) a survey of broadband speeds available to small businesses;  

    (b) a survey of the cost of broadband speeds available to small businesses;

    (c) a survey of the type of broadband technology used by small businesses; and

    (d) any policy recommendations that may improve small businesses’ access to comparable broadband services at comparable rates in all regions of the Nation.

The Office of Advocacy seeks a contractor to conduct this study, and Advocacy will attempt to assist the contractor in obtaining access to non-proprietary Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other agency data, should such assistance be needed. 

The deadline for submitting proposals is MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.   

The proposal solicitation and synopsis is listed in FedBizOpps (https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=agency&mode=form&tab=notices&id=2452a817ef67bc6a1609fffe201f1ed9).  (If this link is not active, go to http://www.fbo.gov and search for Small Business Administration listings, solicitation number SBA-HQ-09-0013.)  This research opportunity is a small business set-aside.

See the attached performance work statement on FedBizOpps for more information.  It is important that all respondents follow the instructions provided for submitting proposals.  Please note that regular mail to government offices in Washington, D.C., experiences significant delays.  Other methods, such as overnight and certified mail, are preferred and are more timely.  

For ideas of previously funded research by the Office of Advocacy, see http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/chron.html.
***************************** 

Note that the Office of Advocacy also has other research opportunities available, and will be accepting proposals for them through FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.  For more information on these opportunities, see http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rfq09.html.

Each week while Congress is in session the Office of Advocacy will post a highlights schedule of congressional hearings and committee markups that we think will be of interest to stakeholders in the small business community.  For further information on the hearings in question please contact the relevant congressional committee.

Small Business Economic Issues in New England States

NewDate Wednesday, Aug. 12, 9 a.m.Place Portland City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 389 Congress St., Portland, MainePanel Karen Gordon Mills – administrator, Small Business AdministrationPanel

 NewDate Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1:30 p.m.Place Great Bay Community College, Room 126, 320 Corporate Drive, Pease International Tradeport, Portsmouth, N.H.Panel Karen Gordon Mills – administrator, Small Business AdministrationPanel

            The Department of Homeland Security needs small business leaders to help determine priorities for the next four years.  DHS is conducting a series of web-based, interactive dialogues around the following focus areas:

• Smart and Tough Enforcement of Immigration Laws
• Securing Our Borders
• Preparing for, Responding to, and Recovering from Disasters
• Counterterrorism and Domestic Security Management
• Homeland Security National Risk Assessment
• Homeland Security Planning and Capabilities

 Join the conversation at www.homelandsecuritydialogue.org.

 – Janis Reyes, Assistant Advocate

Each week while Congress is in session the Office of Advocacy will post a highlights schedule of congressional hearings and committee markups that we think will be of interest to stakeholders in the small business community.  For further information on the hearings in question please contact the relevant congressional committee.

Monday, August 3, 2009

 3:00 pm    Hearing

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee hearing on “Eliminating Wasteful Contractor Bonuses”

Where:        342 Dirksen

Webcast:     http://energycommerce.house.gov/

 Tuesday, August 4, 2009

8:00 am    Field Hearing

House Small Business Finance and Tax Subcommittee field hearing on “Exploring Ways for Small Businesses to Access Capital.”  The hearing will examine the current credit conditions for Oregon small businesses. Witnesses will offer testimony on expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth.

Where:        Courthouse Square, Senate Hearing Room, 555 Court Street N.E., Salem, Oregon

Webcast:     Not available.

10:00 am  Hearing

Senate Finance Committee hearing on “Climate Change Legislation: Allowance and Revenue Distribution”

Witnesses:   John Stephenson, Director, Environmental Protection Issues, Natural Resources and Environment Team, Government Accountability Office; Dallas Burtraw, Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future; Alan D. Viard, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

                 Where:        215 Dirksen

                 Webcast:     http://finance.senate.gov/

10:00 am  Hearing

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing on pending nominations.  Committee votes on the nominations are scheduled for 2 pm.

Nominees:   Dennis F. Hightower to be Deputy Cecretary of Commerce

Robert S. Adler to be a Commissioner, Consumer Product Safety Commission

Anne M. Northrup to be a Commissioner, Consumer Product Safety Commission

                 Where:        253 Russell

                 Webcast:     http://commerce.senate.gov/public/ 

2:30 pm    Hearing

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on efforts to protect patients from defective medical devices

Where:        430 Dirksen

Webcast:     http://help.senate.gov/

 2:30 pm    Hearing

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on pending legislation S. 379 Performance Rights Act, a bill to provide fair compensation to artists for use of their sound recordings

Where:        226 Dirksen

Webcast:     http://judiciary.senate.gov/

Thursday, August 6, 2009

10:00 am  Confirmation Hearing

Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing on the nomination of Winslow Lorenzo Sargeant to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy and Peggy E. Gustafson to be Inspector General, SBA

Where:        428 A Russell

Webcast:     http://sbc.senate.gov/

 

10:00 am  Hearing

Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on “Examining Proposals to Enhance the Regulation of Credit Rating Agencies”

                 Where:        538 Dirksen

                 Webcast:     http://banking.senate.gov/public/

 

10:00 am  Hearing

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on climate change and America’s role in clean energy

Witnesses:   Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior; Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; David B. Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs; Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund; Bill Fehrman, President and CEO, MidAmerican Energy Co.

Where:        406 Dirksen

Webcast:     http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Home

 

10:00 am  Hearing

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on “Aviation Safety: The Relationship between Network Airlines and Regional Airlines”

Where:        253 Russell

Webcast:     http://commerce.senate.gov/public/

 

2:30 pm    Hearing

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on “Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research Program”

Where:        253 Russell

Webcast:         http://commerce.senate.gov/public/