Main Street Comes to Washington to Push Pro-Small Business Policy Agenda

By Shawn Phetteplace, Campaigns Director, Main Street Alliance

Last Month, Main Street Alliance facilitated 50+ meetings between local entrepreneurs and Congressional leaders during May Small Business Month. MSA also arranged a delegation of small business owners for the Midwest Small Business Summit at the White House, drawing attention to the ways poor capital access and economic policy are impacting the bottom lines of local enterprises.

Our members led impactful conversations with decision-makers about small business issues, staff, and communities—including the consequences of corporate-fueled inflation, the difficulty of accessing capital, the dearth of affordable childcare, and the need to pass paid leave.

These Congressional meetings came as out-of-control monopolies face growing pressure from the FTC for anti-competitive behavior that is stifling entrepreneurship and driving up prices for ordinary citizens. By establishing a common vision for small business proliferation, MSA members and elected leaders are working towards the reinvigoration of a more just and equitable economy.  

Members such as John Cavalier of Cavalier House Books of Denham Springs, Louisiana hosted Rep. Garret Graves with other local small business owners to talk about top issues impacting his business, including the rising costs of insurance. 

Molly Moon of Molly Moon Ice Cream in Seattle caught up with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to talk about ways MSA members and our allies can help support her work advocating for childcare investments. Recently, Senator Murray was able to secure an extra $1 billion dollars for childcare in the appropriations process—and MSA is looking to build on that progress. 

Our members from Wisconsin and Michigan joined our new Executive Director, Richard Trent, and the MSA team at the White House. Chloe, Ashley, Corrine, Chef Dave, Mel, Brooke, and Tameka did a great job representing the voice of small businesses with top Administration officials, including Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman and Gene Sperling, White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President. 

We’re not done. Not even close. Want to join our movement to impact decision-makers? Become a member at mainstreetalliance.org. 

John Cavalier and local small business owners with Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA 6th)

Chloe Longmire, Owner of Chase My Creations from Wauwatosa, WI joins the White House Midwest Small Business Summit

Corrine Hendrickson, Owner of Corrine’s Little Explorers from New Glarus, WI speaks to Spectrum News about her experience at the White House Midwest Small Business Summit

MSA members on their way from Wisconsin to Washington, including Chef Dave Heide, Ashley Storck, Brooke Legler and Corrine Hendrickson

Mel Ohlinger of OhmCo asks a question at the White House Midwest Small Business Summit