Bizjournals has an in-depth story looking at the role of the Small Business Adminstration in today's world.  The question the article asks is "can an agency created during the Eisenhower administration serve the needs of small businesses in the 21st century?" 

According to the article many, including the vast majority of small businesses, don't see the need for the SBA.  Key quote:

"The SBA is irrelevant to many small businesses. In a 2006 survey of small business owners by the National Federation of Independent Business, 85 percent said the SBA had no direct impact on their businesses over the past three years. "If the SBA were to go away tomorrow, would anybody really notice?" asks Susan Eckerly, vice president of federal public policy for the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB's indifference toward the SBA is noteworthy because the Republican-leaning group is the most powerful organization lobbying for small businesses in Washington."

The article goes on to talk about 5 changes that could be done to make the SBA more relevant. 

I'm not surprised by the NFIB survey data.  In our research on small business the SBA is rarely mentioned.  But as the article points out, the SBA does a lot of great things that the average small business does not see or is not aware of.  Key quote on the the SBA Office of Advocacy:

"Even SBA skeptics like the NFIB are strong believers in the SBA's Office of Advocacy. The office makes sure federal agencies consider the impact regulations have on small businesses, and conducts and compiles research on small business issues."

In our work we often refer to and use SBA research and information.  Their work is a great resource and plays a key role in helping us all to better understand the role of small businesses in the U.S. economy. 

I also think the importance of their advocacy role cannot be overstated.  Small business needs a strong voice in Washington - particularly with federal regulatory agencies.  The reality is other groups (big business, unions, etc.) have better funded lobbying efforts.  The SBA provides a balance to these groups.  So while I'm all for improving the SBA, let's make sure we do it in a way that maintains the good the SBA provides.

Disclosure: We regularly use SBA data and research in our work and consider the SBA an important information resource.   We have never done work for the SBA, or directly or indirectly received funding from them. 

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