Alabama Small Business Commission Holds First Meeting

MONTGOMERY—With the goal of supporting small business growth, thirty small business owners from across the state joined Governor Bentley Tuesday in Montgomery for the first meeting of the Alabama Small Business Commission.

The Alabama Small Business Commission, created by Governor Bentley with Executive Order 47 in September, will serve as an advisory body in formulating policies, encouraging innovation, and discussing issues critical to the economic growth of small businesses.  The Commission will promote policies to assist new business start-ups and the expansion of existing businesses.

“Small businesses are the engines of job growth and an integral part of the framework that makes up the American economic system,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We have assembled an impressive group of thirty Alabama small business owners from every corner of Alabama to discuss issues critical to the growth of small business and promote policies to assist new business start-ups and expansion of existing businesses. Each member brings a wealth of real world experience for what it takes to be a successful small business owner. The knowledge members will share with as part of the Commission is integral to helping support the growth of both new and existing small businesses.”

The Commission members will serve a two year term with the option of a two year reappointment.  For the purposes of this Commission, the definition of a small business will be 50 or fewer employees. The list of Commission members can be found here.

During the meeting Tuesday, Governor Bentley announced the launch of Atlas Alabama, a new website for entrepreneurs and small business owners that will provide a consolidated access point for basic information on doing business in Alabama including details on licenses, taxes, loans, funding sources and insurance. In addition, the site features a comprehensive list of national and state resource partners that exist to assist small business owners.  The link to Atlas Alabama is http://atlasalabama.gov/

Atlas Alabama also represents the Alabama Small Business Commission and Advisory Committee, detailing its mission and listing its members. The website will provide a collaborative forum for the public to submit recommendations to the Commission.

Rosemary Elebash, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business will chair the Commission and Advisory Committee. The Commission will present an annual report to Governor Bentley at the end of each calendar year beginning in December 2015.

Photos from Tuesday’s meeting can be found here.