Home | Online Resources | UB Catalog | Campus Libraries | About UB Libraries | Forms | Search | Help

THE OFFICE OF ADVOCACY
A VOICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS

[image: the capital dome overlaid with images of neon signs]

AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESSES—over 22 million strong—are the backbone of our nation's economy. Small businesses represent 99 percent of American companies, create two-thirds to three-quarters of net new jobs, employ half the United States' private work force, and generate over half of the private gross domestic product. The American small business community is also diverse, with a rapidly growing number of women- and minority-owned firms.

Despite their importance to the economy, small businesses are burdened disproportionately by the costs of government regulations and paperwork, encounter more difficulty accessing capital, and often face barriers to competition. In 1976, the U.S. Congress created the Office of Advocacy within the U.S. Small Business Administration to protect, strengthen, and effectively represent the nation's small businesses within the federal government's legislative and rulemaking processes. One of Advocacy's most far-reaching responsibilities is monitoring compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)—the law that requires federal agencies to examine the likely effects of their proposed regulations on small businesses.

The Office of Advocacy works for fairness in federal small business policies and conducts economic research on how these policies affect small firms. Although small businesses are a major force in changing market structure, their economic power is not apparent to all. Advocacy's mission, simply stated, is to give visibility to American small businesses and to encourage policies that support their start-up, development, and growth.

Advocacy, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Chief Counsel independently advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal regulatory agencies, federal appellate courts as an amicus curiae, and state policy makers.

Issues are identified through economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach. The Chief Counsel's efforts are supported by staff in Washington, D.C., and by regional advocates located throughout the nation.

INTERAGENCY AFFAIRS

The Office of Interagency Affairs pursues regulatory, legislative, and other policy initiatives that support small business growth. The office prepares comment letters and testimony on federal proposals that may affect small firms. Interagency Affairs addresses issues and concerns shared by small businesses and specific industries. These include access to capital, burdens of regulatory compliance, tax policies, and costs associated with telecommunications reform.

In pursuing good public policy, Advocacy's Office of Interagency Affairs monitors federal agencies' compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The RFA requires federal agencies to analyze the impact of proposed regulations on small firms and requires the Office of Advocacy to report to Congress each year on agencies' compliance.

ECONOMIC RESEARCH

The Office of Economic Research is the federal government's lead office in analyzing the role and status of small businesses in the economy. This office is the source for small business statistics gathered from various federal sources and presented in user-friendly formats. Internal staff or contractors conduct research to help determine small businesses' impact on the economy and how they are currently faring. The Office of Economic Research also puts a face on small business by portraying the characteristics of businesses, owners, and their work forces.

With this information, policymakers, small and large businesses, and the public can better understand the small business market. In fact, important findings on net new job creation, innovation, venture capital, and business turnover have had a large impact on the policies and views that affect small businesses today.

[image: map of the United States divided into regions]

Region 1
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Region 2
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

Region 3
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia

Region 4
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Region 5
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Region 6
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Region 7
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska

Region 8
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

Region 9
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada

Region 10
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

INFORMATION

The Office of Information provides Advocacy's outreach to the small business community. The office ensures that the views of small firms and their representatives are heard by the Chief Counsel. Collaborating with other Advocacy offices, the Office of Information shares details about economic research, policy analyses, and Advocacy initiatives with Congress, the White House, federal regulators, state policy makers, small business representatives, and the media. Numerous publications include a monthly newsletter, The Small Business Advocate, and an annual report of small firms' economic health, The State of Small Business. The office also coordinates conferences dedicated to special issues. Advocacy's message is amplified by the Office of Information.

REGIONAL ADVOCATES

The relationship between the nation's small businesses and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy is strengthened by regional advocates located in the SBA's 10 regions. They are the Chief Counsel's direct link to small business owners, state and local government bodies, and organizations that support the interests of small entities. The regional advocates help identify regulatory concerns of small business by monitoring the impact of federal and state policies at the grassroots level. Their work goes far to develop programs and policies that encourage fair regulatory treatment of small business and help ensure their future growth and prosperity.

Your issues are Advocacy's issues.

To be informed of Advocacy's activities, sign up at http://web.sba.gov/list for email delivery of:

• Advocacy's News Releases,
• Advocacy's monthly newsletter, The Small Business Advocate,
• Advocacy's Small Business Research and Statistics,
• Advocacy's Regulatory Communications.

To keep up with what we are doing at Advocacy, visit www.sba.gov/advo

SBA Office of Advocacy

Office of Advocacy
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 Third Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20416
Telephone (202) 205-6533
Fax: (202) 205-6928

Top of page