2 minute read
Committee Spotlight: Small Business Alliance
BY TYLER MICIK
The State Chamber’s Small Business Alliance (SBA) held its quarterly meeting in April. The SBA serves Delaware’s small business community—which makes up more than 80% of our membership—by helping them grow and thrive through collaborative networking, idea sharing, and identifying solutions to the challenges they experience. The SBA advocates for policies that support new and existing small businesses in a dynamic economy, safeguarding their long-term competitiveness and the retention of jobs.
John Rudd, the state of Delaware’s fire marshal, joined the meeting to provide an overview of the agency. He discussed data points including Delaware’s population growth in each county, the number of fire and rescue/EMS incidents, and some of the challenges they’re facing, like a decline in volunteerism. That issue, combined with Delaware’s aging population, which has led to a significant increase in demand for EMS services, is placing a strain on local fire departments.
Following his presentation, the committee discussed some of the key bills moving through the General Assembly that could impact small businesses. Bills of note included House Bill 105, which addresses pay transparency, and House Bill 84, which focuses on employer-sponsored meetings and communications. House Bill 105 requires employers with 11 or more employees to include salary or wage range information in all postings for job opportunities, both internally and externally. House Bill 84 prohibits employers from requiring employees to participate in mandatory meetings or communications that are religious or political in nature. Both proposals could be difficult for small- and mid-sized employers to manage, especially those without formal HR departments.
The meeting ended with a discussion around the SBA’s upcoming event, Small Business Day in Dover, which is set for Thursday, May 15. Small Business Day in Dover brings small business owners to the state’s capital to learn about important issues before the General Assembly and meet with legislators to hold educated conversations on how those policies could impact their employees and customers. Attendees can also schedule one-on-one meetings with their local legislators, helping them build important relationships. If you would like to attend or join the SBA, please contact me at tmicik@dscc.com.
