I recently had the privilege of helping cut the opening ribbon at Cheeky City Boutique, a new beauty retailer in downtown Springfield started by local entrepreneur Leanne Sedlak.
Small businesses like Cheeky City form the lifeblood of our local and statewide economy. There are more than 600,000 small businesses in Massachusetts, which together employ about half of the Commonwealth’s private workforce.
In addition, many family-owned small businesses are handed down from generation to generation and are deeply committed to the communities they serve, sponsoring everything from little league teams to public concerts to can drives for local food pantries.
Small businesses take many forms. We of course all have our favorite local restaurants, barber shops and retailers. With the rise of technology, they now also include web-based businesses such as the three-person software company that’s creating a mobile app, or the work-from-home architect creating blueprints for clients around the world.
In recent times, it’s become harder and harder to open a small business and compete, due to global economic forces that are pushing toward more chains and consolidation, but also due to the dizzying government regulation that too often feels outdated and needlessly burdensome.
That’s why any strategy for economic growth in Western Massachusetts must include support and expansion for our local small businesses. To do this, we must focus on addressing two of the biggest challenges small businesses face: limited access to financing, and unnecessary or outdated government roadblocks that keep entrepreneurs from starting and expanding.
On the financing side, there are several local initiatives and organizations working to connect small businesses with funding and other resources.
One example is the Business Growth Center at Springfield Technology Park. Owned and operated by Springfield Technical Community College, this center selects businesses that offer a high potential for job creation and links them with staffed office space, growth workshops and funding opportunities.
In addition, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center’s Western Regional office provides free one-on-one business advising to help entrepreneurs successfully launch a business, and help existing small businesses develop growth plans and financial forecasting charts.
Another local resource is Valley Venture Mentors, a local small business “accelerator” that provides mentorship, workspace, networking and access to capital for entrepreneurs in the Pioneer Valley.
State government must also do a better job creating an environment where small businesses can easily thrive and operate efficiently. One of the best ways to do this is by streamlining permitting, zoning, licensing and other regulations involved in owning and operating a business.
State government also must continually review and eliminate regulations that are outdated, needlessly burdensome or do not serve an important public purpose. This approach requires continued collaboration between the Executive branch, the Legislature, city and town governments and private enterprise.
The Pioneer Valley is home to many family businesses that have become iconic national brands, from Merriam-Webster to Friendly’s, from Milton Bradley to Big Y and Indian Motorcycles.
We are one of the country’s great innovation centers. By continuing to nurture and support our family-owned businesses, we’ll also continue to help innovate and create jobs well into the future.
State Sen. Eric Lesser
Longmeadow
