SBA panel encourages comments, complaints

AUGUSTA – Small-business owners, community leaders and representatives of trade associations concerned about what they view as excessive enforcement of federal rules can voice their complaints at a U.S. Small Business Administration Regulatory Fairness Board Forum in Portland later this month.

The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 16 at the Portland SCORE Office, 100 Middle St., 2nd Floor.

SBA national ombudsman Nicholas Owens, members of the SBA’s Region I Regulatory Fairness Board, and representatives of federal regulatory agencies will hear comments and complaints about regulatory enforcement and compliance.

“One of the leading concerns small-business owners face is unfair enforcement of federal regulations. They also worry about telling their stories because they fear retaliation by federal agencies,” Owens said.

The forum is open to the public. Those wishing to testify should contact Bonnie Erickson of the SBA Maine District Office at 622-8275 or by e-mail at bonnie.erickson@sba.gov before the forum. Should small-business owners or representatives be unable to attend, written testimony may be sent in advance of the forum to be included in the public record.