EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 3

WHEREAS, the most basic and important element of the American economic system of private enterprise is to encourage free and vigorous competition ensuring increased personal initiative, enhanced individual achievement and generating growth and prosperity at all economic levels;

WHEREAS, small business is the engine of job growth, creating three out of four jobs, and small businesses are an integral part of the framework in the American economic system ensuring the preservation and expansion of free enterprise, vigorous competition and consumer-driven markets that are essential for the economic wellbeing of a free people;

WHEREAS, research indicates a wealth of small business resources in the state but a fundamental lack of coordination among stakeholders and a lack of marketing of the resources;

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of all the people of the State of Alabama that all of its small businesses be informed and encouraged by public policies that minimize cumbersome and unnecessary regulations and complexity for small business owners;

WHEREAS, the State Government should be an advocate for small business and entrepreneurs who work to create additional opportunities for new and growing small businesses and sustain those which are already in existence by providing comprehensive resources; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Small Business Commission recommended the further development of a website, named Atlas Alabama, which provides information related to small business in Alabama.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons thereto, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby request the heads of the following entities to appoint a representative to coordinate with the Alabama Small Business Commission in an effort to enhance state-level interaction with small businesses by further developing the Atlas Alabama website:

• The Alabama Secretary of State
• The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
• The Alabama Department of Revenue
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
• The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
• The Alabama Department of Banking
• The Alabama Department of Commerce
• The Alabama Forestry Commission
• The Alabama Department of Public Health
• The Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• The Alabama Department of Labor
• The Alabama Department of Transportation
• Three appointments by the President of the Alabama Association of Regulatory Boards
• Additional members as the Governor deems necessary

BE IT ORDERED, that all meetings will occur at the call of the chair, who shall be the executive director of the Alabama Small Business Commission.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon signing and shall remain in effect until such time it is modified or rescinded by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 17th day of February, 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor

ATTEST:

John H. Merrill
Secretary of State