Tucson Standard

Small businesses play a crucial role in the economy, not only through their economic contributions but also by offering valuable insights into business advocacy. Frank Velásquez Jr., formerly with the Tucson Metro Chamber, highlights the importance of small business perspectives in shaping policy discussions.

According to Velásquez, "small businesses bring unique insights to advocacy efforts." Their operators face regulatory challenges without specialized compliance departments and experience market shifts immediately. This proximity provides invaluable input for creating balanced policies.

In Arizona, 97.3% of businesses have fewer than 20 employees, underscoring the necessity of small business engagement in policy development. Velásquez emphasizes that addressing workforce challenges is particularly critical for small businesses as they often compete with larger employers for talent but have fewer resources.

Despite representing over 99% of all businesses nationally and employing nearly half of the private workforce, small businesses encounter obstacles in making their voices heard due to time constraints and limited resources. Chambers and business associations play a vital role in amplifying these voices.

"When small businesses engage in advocacy," Velásquez states, "the results can be profound." Policies become more practical, implementation timelines realistic, and unintended consequences are identified earlier. The regulatory environment becomes more conducive to business growth and innovation.

Velásquez encourages small business owners to recognize their influence: "Join one of the Chamber’s Public Policy subcommittees, share your experiences, and make a difference."

The future of effective business advocacy relies on keeping small business perspectives central to discussions. Their involvement is essential for building an economy that supports businesses of all sizes while fostering a thriving workforce community.

For more information on Tucson Metro Chamber’s workforce advocacy efforts or to stay updated on events and press releases, contact Zach Yentzer or follow the Chamber on social media.