December Small Business Advocate

Small Business Administration (SBA) sent this bulletin at 12/19/2019 01:46 PM EST
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Tis the Season to Celebrate Small Business in Block Lettering over background of blue and white city decorated for the holidays
Gifts

Say Thank You to Small Businesses in Your Area

Small businesses make contributions to the U.S. economy and their  communities year-round, so they are certainly something to be thankful for this holiday season. Learn how small business contributes to your area by clicking the link to our Small Business State Profiles below.
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Comment Letter on FDA's PMTA Proposed Rule

Advocacy filed comments with the Food and Drug Administration on the Tobacco Product Applications and Recordkeeping Requirements proposed rule. Advocacy recommends that FDA prepare an IRFA to analyze the impact of the rule on small business and consider alternatives that would lessen its impact.
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Advocacy Signs MOU with National Ombudsman

The Office of Advocacy and the SBA National Ombudsman formalized their longstanding working relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding. Learn more about the history of cooperation between the two offices and how they work together to promote their common goals by clicking the link below.
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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Interagency Cooperation Saves Christmas for Tree Harvesting Company

Region 10 Advocate Apollo Fuhriman, SBA National Ombudsman Stefanie Wehagen, and the IRS worked together to help a Salem, Ore. small business find essential paperwork so their employees could harvest Christmas trees just in time for the holiday season.

Prianka Sharma feeds reindeer at Alaska reindeer farm

AK Reindeer Farmer Discusses Unique Regulatory Challenges with Advocacy

Advocacy visited a reindeer farm to discuss the regulatory challenges associated with running their business. The business shared concerns about regulations involving transport of live animals from Alaska to the continental U.S.  and the certification process to own, handle, and sell live animals.

Small Businesses In Region 6 Have Another Great Year

Region 6 Advocate Rhett Davis connected with small business throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma this year to hear about their regulatory concerns and their outlook for the future.

Gordan Companies staff

Holiday Decor Business Turns Tariff Threat into Opportunity for Growth

Region 2 Advocate Christine Myers spoke with a New York small business that specializes in holiday decor about how the potential tariff threat on holiday items imported from China might impact their business and their subsequent decision to start manufacturing in their hometown.

A Message from the Office of Advocacy

Advocacy is so grateful for all small businesses and their profound contributions to the U.S. economy. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and continued success in the New Year. 

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REGULATORY CORNER

EPA Needs Small Business Reps for SBREFA Panel on Ethylene Oxide Emission

The Environmental Protection Agency intends to update the rules on emissions for ethylene oxide, a toxic gas used to sterilize medical equipment that is produced by the commercial sterilizer industry. If your business will be impacted, consider participating in the SBREFA panel. Nominations due: Dec. 20, 2019.

DOE Requests Feedback on Energy Conservation Standards for Refrigerators and Freezers

The Department of Energy is seeking small business feedback on whether to amend energy conservation standards for consumer refrigerators and freezers and how to address the impact of these standards on small business. Comment deadline: Dec. 30, 2019.

OSHA Seeks Volunteers for SBREFA Panel on Tree Care Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to convene a small business panel in early 2020 on a possible tree care operations safety standard. Small entities that would like to participate should email Assistant Chief Counsel Bruce Lundegren.

SBA Requests Input on Proposal to Merge Two Mentor-Protégé Programs

The U.S. Small Business Administration proposes to merge the 8(a) Business Development Program and the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program to reduce confusion and eliminate duplicate functions within SBA. Comment deadline: Jan. 17, 2020.

USDA Extends Comment Period for Domestic Hemp Production Program 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the comment period for its interim final rule to establish a domestic hemp production program in the U.S. Comment deadline: Jan. 29, 2020.

EPA Seeks Input on Proposed  Revisions to Application Exclusion Zones 

The Environmental Protection Agency published proposed  revisions to clarify and simplify AEZ requirements under the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. Comment deadline: Jan. 30, 2020.

EPA Proposes New Deadline to Initiate Closure for Surface Impoundments 

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed requiring unlined surface impoundments to stop receiving waste and initiate closure by Aug. 31, 2020, as opposed to the original Oct. 31, 2020 deadline. Comment deadline: Jan. 31, 2020.

EPA Seeks Feedback on Adding PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory

The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking feedback on a potential proposal to add certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to its list of toxic chemicals. Comment deadline: Feb. 3, 2020.
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Need Help With Regulatory Issues?

 

There are three 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.

 

3) Check Out Advocacy's Publication, "A Basic Guide to Federal Rulemaking and Small Business" to learn how small business can get involved in the federal rulemaking process.

 

 

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