Small Business Issues

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Minimum Wage Action Page

Across the country, politicians at the federal, state, and local level are discussing possible legislative action regarding minimum wage. To help you inform elected officials about the important economic role locally owned businesses play in your community – and the challenges they face – ABA has created materials to help you in outreach and advocacy on this important issue. more...

Health Care Reform Options for Small Business Owners Featured on SBA Site

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a web page and blog dedicated to educating small business owners about the Affordable Care Act. The site and blog connects small business owners to information provided by SBA’s federal partners responsible for implementing the law, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. more ...

SBA’s Microloan Program

Access to capital remains a huge issue for independent businesses. One way the Obama Administration has sought to increase access to capital for small businesses is through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Microloan Program. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed in 2009, appropriated some $30 million for the Microloan Program. Then, in 2010, the Small Business Jobs Act increased the maximum loan amount from $35,000 to $50,000. more...

The United States Small Business Administration is dedicated to providing support to small businesses across the nation.

Advocates for Independent Business

ABA is co-founder of Advocates for Independent Business (AIB), a coalition of 14 trade associations and other groups dedicated to ensuring that locally owned, independent businesses succeed and thrive. Along with ABA, the coalition includes: Business Alliance for Local Living Economies; Independent Running Retailers Association; Independent We Stand;  National Bicycle Dealers Association; North American Retail Hardware Association; Professional Association of Innkeepers International; Real Diaper Industry Association; Record Store Day; Soccer Dealer Association; and the Society of American Florists. more...

Each year, AIB and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), a national nonprofit research and educational organization, conduct an annual post-holiday survey. The aims of the survey are to find out how independent businesses are faring; whether people are more aware of and supportive of independent businesses; and what are some of the key challenges and issues impacting independent businesses.

Past surveys have provided unique and important data about the viability of independent businesses and the impact of the localism movement. Last year, more than 2,600 local businesses completed the survey, and its findings were featured in dozens of national and local news stories across the country. more…

survey cover report

The American Booksellers Association has joined with six other organizations to launch Advocates for Independent Business (AIB), a coalition of trade associations and other groups dedicated to ensuring that locally owned, independent businesses succeed and thrive. 

ABA co-founded the coalition together with the American Independent Business Alliance, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, Independent Running Retailers Association, National Bicycle Dealers Association, Professional Association of Innkeepers International, and Record Store Day.

- See more at: http://www.bookweb.org/news/indie-trade-associations-form-new-coalition#...

nd expanding community banks, increasing credit union business lending, and reorienting the Small Business Administration’s loan guarantee programs to once again cater to the needs of businesses that are truly small. - See more at: http://www.bookweb.org/news/aib-publishes-policy-paper-access-capital-sm...
Advocates for Independent Business (AIB) has produced the Backgrounder on the Small Business Credit Crunch, which outlines several broad policy solutions, with a focus on strengthening and expanding community banks, increasing credit union business lending, and reorienting the Small Business Administration’s loan guarantee programs to once again cater to the needs of businesses that are truly small. - See more at: http://www.bookweb.org/news/aib-publishes-policy-paper-access-capital-sm...

About ABA

The American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

Independent bookstores act as community anchors; they serve a unique role in promoting the open exchange of ideas, enriching the cultural life of communities, and creating economically vibrant neighborhoods.

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