620.500. Small business assistance office established in department--regional offices--staff duties.
Small business assistance office established in department--regionaloffices--staff duties.
620.500. 1. There is created within the department ofeconomic development a "Small Business Assistance Office" whichshall establish regional business assistance offices which shallbe one-stop guidance centers for entrepreneurs. Such businessassistance offices may be located in each geographic region ofthe state, subject to appropriation of funding by the generalassembly. Where possible, each business assistance office shallbe located in conjunction with a small business developmentcenter, a regional planning commission as defined in chapter 251,RSMo, or other existing agency or organization performingeconomic development functions.
2. The small business assistance office's regional officesshall:
(1) Provide a focal point and assist and counsel smallbusinesses in their dealings with federal, state and localgovernments, including but not limited to providing ready accessto information regarding government requirements which affectsmall business;
(2) Analyze current legislation and regulation as itaffects small business within its region for the purpose ofdetermining methods of elimination or simplification ofunnecessary regulatory requirements;
(3) Assist small businesses within its region in obtainingavailable technical and financial assistance;
(4) Initiate and encourage small business educationprograms, including programs in cooperation with various publicand private educational institutions;
(5) Foster participation of small businesses in theprocurement activities of the state by providing a guide forbusinesses on the purchasing procedures and practices of stateagencies, assisting the state agencies in developing acomprehensive list of small businesses capable of providingmaterials, supplies, equipment or contractual services to thestate, and advising state agencies with respect to methods forsimplifying procurement forms and procedures and other methodsfor increasing small business participation;
(6) Receive complaints and recommendations concerningpolicies and activities of federal, state and local governmentalagencies which affect small businesses, and develop, incooperation with the agency involved, proposals for changes inpolicies or activities to alleviate any unnecessary adverseeffects to small business within its region or throughout thestate;
(7) Establish and operate a separate and distinct "businesspermit system", which shall provide comprehensive information onthe federal, state and local requirements necessary to begin asmall business and make this information available to the public;
(8) Make recommendations regarding business paperworkrequirements and simplification of forms and language and reportto the director of the division of community and economicdevelopment on the cost effectiveness of the business permitsystem;
(9) Work with local business leaders and governmentofficials and help them formulate and implement sound economicdevelopment decisions for their communities;
(10) Provide assistance to entrepreneurs in the licensingand permitting process, including the necessary applications andpaperwork.
(L. 1986 S.B. 426 § 2, A.L. 1993 H.B. 566)