WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy), the independent voice for small business within the executive branch, held an open house on Tuesday with small businesses from across the nation. The day-long event, held at the U.S. Small Business Administration headquarters in Washington, D.C., provided small businesses the opportunity to share real-life challenges and ideas with Advocacy and federal rule makers aimed at driving positive regulatory change.
Some of the topics discussed included small business size standards, copyright complaints process for a small clothing seller, concerns with the Department of War’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, issues facing seaport communities and the commercial fishing industry, the On-Site Consultation program at the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and ways to increase Made in America manufacturing.
Federal agencies who participated in Advocacy’s open house include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Credit Union Administration, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Wage and Hour Division. Participants also heard directly from numerous offices within the U.S. Small Business Administration about different resources that are available, including the Office of Capital Access, the Office of Government Contracting & Business Development, the Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, the National Ombudsman, and the Office of Field Operations.
“It was an honor to meet with and hear from so many incredible small businesses during our open house on Tuesday. Since 1976, the Office of Advocacy’s work has been fueled by conversations like those we had yesterday, and we will continue helping small businesses navigate the federal regulatory environment and relaying their concerns to rule makers here in Washington, D.C.,” said Advocacy Acting Chief Counsel Everett M. Woodel, Jr.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is an independent voice for small business within the executive branch. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.