2 minute read
Committee Spotlight: Small Business Alliance
BY TYLER MICIK
The State Chamber’s Small Business Alliance (SBA) held Small Business Day in Dover during National Small Business Week in May. The event’s purpose was two-fold: To emphasize the importance of the small business community’s participation in shaping policy in the First State; and how to educate small business owners on how to become a part of that process.
The event began with a workshop led by Verity Watson, partner at Ruggerio, Willson & Watson, and Kim Gomes, partner at ByrdGomes. They discussed key issues impacting the small business community such as economic development, child care, data privacy, and more.
The conversation also focused on the importance of building meaningful relationships with members of the General Assembly with the following key takeaways:
• It’s important for business community members to connect and build relationships with policymakers before issues arise. Your first point of contact with a legislator should not be a call on a policy issue.
• Get to know the policymakers in and outside of your district. Do not limit yourself to a relationship with one or two people, there are 62 members of the General Assembly who can be your advocate.
Following the workshop, attendees were joined by the House Small Business Caucus Chairs Representatives Bill Bush, Michael Ramone, and Daniel Short. The meeting covered a range of topics, including affordable housing, the worker shortage, and recreational marijuana, among others. The morning ended with scheduled meetings between attendees and their legislators and a tour of Legislative Hall.
The SBA serves Delaware’s small business community by helping them grow and thrive through collaborative networking, idea sharing, and identifying solutions to challenges they experience. Through programs like Small Business Day in Dover, the group advocates for policies that support new and existing small businesses in a dynamic economy. If you’re a small business owner or employee, the SBA is for you. To learn more or join the committee, contact me at tmicik@dscc.com.
