WASHINGTON – Small business owners, representatives of local economic development organizations, trade groups and community leaders are invited to join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Ombudsman, Stefanie Wehagen, to discuss federal regulatory issues impacting small businesses on Monday, August 19, 2019, from 1-4 p.m. EDT.

“This event is a platform for the New Jersey small business community to voice their concerns about unfair regulatory enforcement, excessive fines, retaliation, and other regulatory burdens imposed on small businesses by federal agencies,” said SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone. “In addition, small businesses will have an opportunity to learn more about the range of resources available from the SBA and the Office of the National Ombudsman at this hearing.”

Comments and concerns raised at the regulatory fairness hearing will be directed to the appropriate federal agency for a fairness review to reduce undue regulatory burdens, while helping small businesses succeed.

SBA Regional Administrator Steve Bulger who oversees the federal agency’s operations in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands said, “Often times small business owners may feel they have no recourse to fight the sometime unfair regulatory enforcement that they face from federal agencies that impose penalties or fines on their small businesses and the industries they represent.

“President Trump and the SBA are committed to ensuring that small businesses – the engine of our prospering American economy – have a voice in Washington. I strongly urge small business owners, small business associations, trade groups and community leaders across New Jersey to join us in Washington on August 19 to make their voices heard,” he said.

The National Regulatory Fairness Hearing for Small Business will be held at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Washington Headquarters located at 409 Third Street SW Concourse level, Eisenhower Halls A/B Washington, D.C., 20024.

The Washington small business hearing is free and open to the public. A valid government-issued ID is required to gain access to the building. New Jersey small business owners who want to attend the hearing must RSVP by Aug.12, 2019 to ombudsman@sba.gov.

Testimony may also be submitted in writing, in lieu of attending the hearing in person. The deadline to register and provide written testimony in advance is Monday, Aug. 5. Written testimony may be emailed to John Kelly at ombudsman@sba.gov.

For further information, or if reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities are needed please contact John Kelly at ombudsman@sba.gov by Aug. 12, 2019.

For additional information about the SBA’s Office of the National Ombudsman, visit www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.