By Shawna Francis
December 9, 2002

On Wednesday, November 28, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business Task Force Co-Chair Mayor Kay Barnes hosted Kansas City's first Partner America Small Business Roundtable. The event was held at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott. Although, the roundtable was held the day before Thanksgiving, small business owners from across the metropolitan area came out to hear from the mayor, federal SBA Administrator Hector Barreto, and George Cloutier among other panelists, to discuss the issues of the small business person in Kansas City during this economic downturn. Other distinguished guests included: Joe Driskell, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Andi Udris, Director of the Kansas City's Economic Development Corporation, Pete Levi, President of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Michael Barrera, U.S. Small Business Administration Ombudsman. This paThe morning program began with Mayor Barnes discussing the purpose of the Partner America Small Business Roundtable and the importance of the small business constituency to the economic strength of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Barnes stated that small business is the backbone of the Kansas City economy and is important to develop programs that allow the city to work with small business to rebuild the city and to bring help into distressed neighborhoods. As Co-Chair of the Small Business Task Force for the Conference of Mayors, Barnes was delighted to host a Partner America Small Business Roundtable in conjunction with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. "The purpose of today's event is to hear from you about your needs and what we can do to help you succeed and be profitable. What information or programs do you need to access — do you need information about procurement oppConference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran stated, "The U.S. Conference of Mayors created this program with American Management Services to equip mayors with new initiatives designed to strengthen the local economy, bring federal resources to local areas, increase the tax base, and create a vital and sustainable business community. We are pleased to have Administrator Barreto join Mayor Barnes, our Co-Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business Task Force, for this important discussion on small business development."

The morning program began with Mayor Barnes discussing the purpose of the Partner America Small Business Roundtable and the importance of the small business constituency to the economic strength of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Barnes stated that small business is the backbone of the Kansas City economy and is important to develop programs that allow the city to work with small business to rebuild the city and to bring help into distressed neighborhoods. As Co-Chair of the Small Business Task Force for the Conference of Mayors, Barnes was delighted to host a Partner America Small Business Roundtable in conjunction with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. "The purpose of today's event is to hear from you about your needs and what we can do to help you succeed and be profitable. What information or programs do you need to access — do you need information about procurement oppConference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran stated, "The U.S. Conference of Mayors created this program with American Management Services to equip mayors with new initiatives designed to strengthen the local economy, bring federal resources to local areas, increase the tax base, and create a vital and sustainable business community. We are pleased to have Administrator Barreto join Mayor Barnes, our Co-Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business Task Force, for this important discussion on small business development."

Conference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran stated, "The U.S. Conference of Mayors created this program with American Management Services to equip mayors with new initiatives designed to strengthen the local economy, bring federal resources to local areas, increase the tax base, and create a vital and sustainable business community. We are pleased to have Administrator Barreto join Mayor Barnes, our Co-Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business Task Force, for this important discussion on small business development."

The first panelist was Partner America Co-Chairman George Cloutier. Cloutier discussed how significant small business is to the city of Kansas City as well as the state. -Kansas City proper has 44,803 small businesses, the metropolitan area has 77, 866 small businesses and the state of Missouri has 253,624 small businesses. This is how important small business is to the metro economy of Kansas City. These numbers clearly demonstrate why small business is the building block of the metro economy and why Partner America is such an important program." The primary objective of Partner America is to connect, through the mayor's office, small businessmen and women across the country, with huge resources and programs available from the federal, state and local governments to help these small businesses grow and prosper, and add jobs to the nation's metro economy. "Your very presence here in an eBarreto was excited to be back amongst his community. He stated that events like the Partner America Small Business Roundtable are useful in determining the important areas that need to be addressed in assisting the small businessperson in growing their business. Barreto acknowledged the presence of his father Hector Baretto, Sr. who was the founder of the national Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Barreto discussed the White House's agenda in improving the economic environment for small business to flourish. Some of the key aspects of the President's small business agenda includes: providing new tax incentives to make it easier for small businesses to make important job-creating investments; give small business owners more power to provide health care for their uninsured employees, and improve the health care options for employees who already have insurance; tear down the regulatory barrierDuring the question and answer period of the roundtable, the panelists fielded an array of questions from participants. One of the most resounding issues was how can small businesses become involved in the federal procurement process and streamlining that process. Barreto stated that this is one of the primary issues the SBA is addressing. One of the participants stated that often time small businesses become frustrated in going through such an arduous process and are reluctant to seek federal contract opportunities.

Barreto was excited to be back amongst his community. He stated that events like the Partner America Small Business Roundtable are useful in determining the important areas that need to be addressed in assisting the small businessperson in growing their business. Barreto acknowledged the presence of his father Hector Baretto, Sr. who was the founder of the national Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Barreto discussed the White House's agenda in improving the economic environment for small business to flourish. Some of the key aspects of the President's small business agenda includes: providing new tax incentives to make it easier for small businesses to make important job-creating investments; give small business owners more power to provide health care for their uninsured employees, and improve the health care options for employees who already have insurance; tear down the regulatory barrierDuring the question and answer period of the roundtable, the panelists fielded an array of questions from participants. One of the most resounding issues was how can small businesses become involved in the federal procurement process and streamlining that process. Barreto stated that this is one of the primary issues the SBA is addressing. One of the participants stated that often time small businesses become frustrated in going through such an arduous process and are reluctant to seek federal contract opportunities.

During the question and answer period of the roundtable, the panelists fielded an array of questions from participants. One of the most resounding issues was how can small businesses become involved in the federal procurement process and streamlining that process. Barreto stated that this is one of the primary issues the SBA is addressing. One of the participants stated that often time small businesses become frustrated in going through such an arduous process and are reluctant to seek federal contract opportunities.

Michael Barrera, the SBA Ombudsman, explained to the audience his role in working with small businesses across the country and how his office can be of assistance to the small business owners present. The National Ombudsman's primary mission is to assist small businesses when they experience excessive federal regulatory enforcement actions, such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, penalties, threats, retaliation or other unfair enforcement action by federal agencies.

Barnes was very pleased with the event and thanked the panelists and participants for sharing important information on the resources and tools available to the small businessperson. If you are interested in hosting a Partner America event, please contact Shawna Francis, Managing Director at 877-778-6726 or sfrancis@usmayors.org