Small Business Bill of Rights
(SBBoR) Update
Chuck Jones, CFP®
Chuck Jones & Associates, Inc.
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 1

Presentation Outline
History of the Small Business Bill of Rights
Preamble
Principles
Content
Future Plans and Steps
Conclusion
Q&A Session
S i
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 2

History of the SBBoR
Modeled on State of Maine SBBoR
Three other states have similar programs
Th th tt h i il
Two years of “word smithing” for the Portland version
Input from many organizations – SBAC, City
Mayor, Commissioners and Bureau Heads,
PDC, BDA s, Chambers and businesses
PDC BDA’s
Passed Portland City Council 11/28/07
Passed as resolution, not as an ordinance
Goal is a partnership with the City
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 3

Preamble to the SBBoR
Members of the SBAC believe that a healthy,
viable community must offer opportunities for
local businesses to prosper and to attain
economic sustainability
The City must promote the attitudes, actions and
conditions that encourage local business owners
to take risk, invest resources, hire employees
and undertake enterprises that will create
financial return
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 4

Principles of the SBBoR
Attitudes, policies, regulatory interpretations and
programs need to promote business prosperity
Must consider the potential impact of p
p p policy on
y
business viability and job creation
Encourages businesses to start up here,
g p ,
relocate here, stay here and to grow and thrive
Government and business should mutually
benefit
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 5

SBBoR Contents − 1
Develop, promote and maintain education,
p, p ,
training and information programs and
resources
Establish and maintain easy access to
necessary resources and information
Support and promote access to capital,
financing and city incentives
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 6

SBBoR Contents − 2
Be held accountable for prioritizing spending
Adequate and efficient systems of streets and
roadways for timely delivery of commercial
goods and services and mobility of employees
Comprehensible and transparent budgets and
expenditures
Fair system of taxation and fees
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 7

SB BoR Contents − 3
Simple, p
p predictable regulatory environment/
g y
permitting process that is efficient and cost
effective
Seek and expand opportunities for small
business to provide p
p products and services to the
City
Support and promote the SBAC and other
S td t th d th
organizations representing small business
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 8

Future Plans and Steps
Partnership agreement with the City
Similar to i ti
Si il t existing RACC agreement
t
Would put “teeth” into SBBoR
Office of Small Business
Perhaps APNBA
Similar to ONI but for business
In early discussion stage
Process guidelines
Evaluating decision impacts on small business
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 9

In Conclusion…
SB Bill of Rights resolution was a major step in
the right di
h i h direction
i
Universal support from the business community
Organizations
Individuals
Economic d
E i development position statement and
l t iti tt td
list of supporters in handout
Please be VOCAL about your support for the
Small Business Bill of Rights!
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 10