November Small Business Advocate

Small Business Administration (SBA) sent this bulletin at 11/18/2019 10:48 AM EST
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"Accessing the Internet in Rural America" Laptop shown sitting in field.

New Report on Internet Access in Rural America

A new report from the Office of Advocacy, “Accessing the Internet in Rural America,” analyzes recent survey data on subscriptions to the internet through three popular types of technology. The patterns observed have implications for policies to encourage rural development.
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RSVP for Employee Benefits Roundtable

Advocacy is hosting an Employee Benefits Roundtable on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon. The roundtable will be held at the SBA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agenda and information on how to RSVP can be found by clicking the link below.
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Request for FDA to Extend PMTA Comment Period

On Nov. 7, Advocacy sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration to request an extension of the comment period for the Premarket Tobacco Application and Recordkeeping Requirements proposed rule to Jan. 24, 2019. The current deadline is Nov. 25, 2019.
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REGULATORY CORNER

 

FTC Seeks More Comments On COPPA Implementation

The Federal Trade Commission reopened the comment period for its implementation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Comment deadline: Dec. 9, 2019

Forest Service Seeks Comments on Tongass National Forest Exemption from Roadless Rule

USDA’s Forest Service is seeking comments on a proposed rule to exempt the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule. Comment deadline: Dec. 16, 2019.

USTPO Seeks Input on Proposed Changes for Post-Grant Proceedings

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a notice of proposed rulemaking to change the rules of practice in post-grant proceedings before the Patent and Trial Appeal Board. Comment deadline: Dec. 23, 2019.

EPA Publishes Draft Risk Evaluation for Methylene Chloride; Announces Peer Review Meetings

The Environmental Protection Agency published a draft risk evaluation for methylene chloride and submitted the evaluation for peer review. The peer review meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3-4. Public comments are due Dec. 30, 2019.

AMS Requests Comments on Domestic Hemp Production Program

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking comments on an interim final rule to establish a domestic hemp production program in the United States. Comment deadline: Dec. 30, 2019.

AROUND THE COUNTRY

 

Texas Small Businesses Share Their Concerns With Advocacy

Advocacy held small business regulatory forums in Austin and San Antonio. Texas businesses shared their federal regulatory concerns about trucking regulations, tariffs, and trade, with Region 6 Advocate Rhett Davis.

Advocacy Visits Junior Achievement of Arizona Event

Advocacy met with Junior Achievement of Arizona, a non-profit organization that prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Region 9 Advocate Marina Dewit listened to their concerns about federal tax exemptions and fundraising for non-profits.

Small Businesses Stuck With Uncertainty About Brexit

Manufacturing and Technology Advocate Tom Rossomando attended a forum at Duquesne University on the implications of the United Kingdom exiting the European, where small businesses discussed issues such as compliance, intellectual property, and the border with Northern Ireland.

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Need Help With Regulatory Issues?

There are two main ways you can connect with Advocacy and share your concerns about regulatory burdens on small businesses: 1) Fill Out This Form and share it with your small business colleagues. 2) Talk To Your Regional Advocate about the regulatory issues your small business is experiencing

VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Q: How many veteran-owned employer businesses are in the U.S.?

A: There are 379,620 veteran-owned employer businesses in the United States.

Q: Which states have the most veteran-owned businesses?

A: Veteran-owned businesses are operating in all 50 states. The states with the highest share of businesses owned by veterans were Virginia, Maine, Alabama, South Carolina, and South Dakota.

Q: How many Americans are employed by veteran-owned businesses?

A: Veteran-owned employer businesses employ 4.2 million people in the United States.

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Want to Learn More?

National Veterans Small Business Week was observed Nov. 4-8. More information about veteran-owned small business can be found in our fact sheet, “Spotlight on Veteran-Owned Employer Business.”