Help Government Help Itself

President Ronald Reagan once said that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Geoff Grove and Andrew Coffield of the SBA’s Office of Advocacy are working hard to show that’s not always the case.

The two spoke at Enterprise Minnesota’s annual State of Manufacturing® event in Minneapolis last month, laying out their mission and explaining how manufacturers can help advance it. In a nutshell, they aim to bring the voices and concerns of Minnesota’s manufacturers to the highest levels of policy making.

The SBA aims to cut $100 billion in regulatory costs for small businesses. Coffield says so far in 2025 they’ve reduced that burden by about $48 billion.

As they continue working toward their target, SBA officials will work at the federal level – and weigh in with state legislatures – to rightsize regulations for smaller companies. “Small firms are shouldering a regulatory load designed with larger businesses in mind, and the cumulative impact is a real threat to innovation, growth, and even basic survival for some businesses,” Grove says.

To reduce the burden, the SBA advocates simplifying and synchronizing reporting and compliance requirements across agencies to save time and reduce costly confusion. The office also supports implementing proportional standards and processes that distinguish between major corporations and local job creators; expanding technical assistance; providing grant support for compliance costs; and streamlining access to regulatory guidance.

The Advocacy Office is a rare example of the government trying to work with business, and it really is here to help. As officials like Grove and Coffield seek input to inform rulemaking and target reforms, they want to hear from manufacturers so they can convey their concerns, challenges, and burdens.

The SBA has established a Red Tape Hotline to give businesses an avenue to report burdensome regulations. There are four ways to submit information about the time and financial costs of specific regulations:
•    Call 800-827-5722 and choose option three
•    Email [email protected]
•    Submit an online report at advocacy.sba.gov
•    Attend a regional roundtable; a schedule for all upcoming events is posted at advocacy.sba.gov

I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to help government improve its operations while making the regulatory climate more hospitable for all businesses.

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