Small Business Regulatory Fairness Forum:Friday, June 13, 2014; Cleveland, OH

A forum for small business owners to discuss federal regulations, compliance audits, regulatory fines, and enforcement actions impacting small businesses.

The U.S. Small Business Administration presents this Regulatory Fairness Forum to facilitate dialogue on federal regulatory issues facing small businesses and highlight the range of resources available to small business owners through the SBA and the Office of the National Ombudsman.

WHO: National Ombudsman Brian Castro will host a conversation with members of the small business community to hear their comments and concerns about federal regulations impacting small businesses.  SBA Region 5 Regulatory Fairness Board Member Iris Cooper will participate.

WHAT: The National Ombudsman holds Regulatory Fairness hearings and forums across the country to give small business owners a means to comment on unfair enforcement actions, government audits, and excessive fines or regulations. The Ombudsman directs specific issues raised by participants to the appropriate Federal agency for a high-level fairness review, and works across government to address those concerns, reduce regulatory burdens, and help small businesses grow.

WHERE: Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), 1240 Huron Road East, Ground Floor - Boardroom, Cleveland, OH 44115-1717

WHEN: Friday, June 13, 2014, 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

All members of the small business community, trade organizations, chambers of commerce, and media are encouraged to attend. Small business owners wishing to report a federal regulatory concern confidentially will have the opportunity to do so privately at the forum.There is no cost to attend and advanced registration is encouraged. Please contact Josette Burns, Coordinator of Government Relations, COSE, via e-mail atjburns@cose.org or by phone at (216) 592-2404. For more information, visitwww.sba.gov/ombudsman  

SBA’s programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 1 week in advance. Contact: Jose.mendez@sba.gov or call (202) 205-6178.