This is Small Businesses' Chance to tell the government what's right and what's wrong about the enforcement activities of the federal agencies that regulate them...

Let your voice be heard in Federal Regulatory Enforcement & Compliance

Columbus (PRWEB) June 3, 2004 -- National Small Business Ombudsman Reviews Excessive Federal Regulatory Enforcement. Community and business leaders, concerned about excessive fines and burdensome enforcement of federal regulations, will discuss their concerns with the U.S. Small Business Administrations National Ombudsman at a Regulatory Fairness Board Hearing in Columbus, Ohio on June 22, 2004, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Business Technology Center, 1275 Kinnear Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212.
   
This formal forum offers small business owners and representatives from business and trade associations a chance to discuss openly, without fear of retaliation, their concerns about federal compliance practices in Region V, which includes Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
   
One of our biggest concerns small business owners face is unfair enforcement of federal regulations," said National Ombudsman Michael Barrera. They worry about telling their stories because they fear retaliation by federal agencies."
   
Small business owners want to play by the rules and comply with federal regulations," he said, and we want to encourage federal regulators to assist business owners with compliance rather than go straight to the penalty stage."
   
SBA district and regional offices around the country are hosting meetings such as this one. By working together with small businesses and federal agencies, we can make the federal regulatory process more cooperative and collaborative, encouraging a less punitive and more small-business friendly regulatory environment," Barrera said.
   
The Office of the National Ombudsman was created by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA). The act established 10 regional fairness boards, served by 50 small business owners from across the country.
   
Lyle J. Clemenson, Chair, Clemenso Enterprises, Lloyd E. Falconer, Seward Screw Products, Inc, Doug Hilbert, Professional Technical Development and Edward Aprahamian, Lezk Corporation are members of the board in Region V. Information gathered from the hearing will be shared with government officials in the ombudsmans annual report to Congress and with directors and managers of federal regulatory agencies to help them with their enforcement actions.
   
The June 22nd hearing is open to the public. However, those wishing to participate in the discussion should contact Shannon Feucht, Paralegal Specialist in Columbus at 614-469-6860 ext 244 or Carol Bailey, Women Business Representative at 614-469-6860 ext 232 to register to this hearing.
   
Comments and concerns about federal agency enforcement actions can be addressed directly to the Office of the National Ombudsman at 1-888-REGFAIR. For more information on the national ombudsman and this hearing, visit the National Ombudsmans web site at www.sba.gov/ombudsman.   
   
For Information on SBAs programs and services, call the SBA district office in Columbus at 614-469-6860, or visit the SBA web site at www.sba.gov/oh/columbus

The SBA helps small business each year with access to capital and credit through its financial assistance programs, as well as providing technical training and business start up and expansion counseling, disaster loans for businesses and home owners, and federal contracting and procurement assistance. For more information about the SBA, go to www.sba.gov or call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK-SBA or TDD 704-344-6640   

For more information contact:
Shannon Feucht (614) 469-6860, ext 244 or
E-mail: shannon.feucht@sba.gov