Gilbert runs on small businesses. Most of our jobs and services in the Town come from these great organizations. As a small business operator, I’m honored to be endorsed by the leading business organization in Gilbert; the Small Business Alliance.

There are many ways to improve the environment for our small businesses. Here are seven objectives I will bring to the Town Council.

1. Get out of their way! Red tape acts like sand in the gears of our local economy.  Let’s remove the unnecessary regulations grinding down our job creators.
2. Include small businesses in key decisions. As the largest employers in Gilbert, let’s give them a bigger seat at the table.
3. Listen.  At least twice a year, the Council should work on a list of ways to improve the business climate for our small businesses.
4. Be respectful. Small business owners should be treated with more respect when they come to do business at the Town. We should collect feedback on our customer service and learn how we can improve.
5. Education partnerships are important to successful businesses. Strengthen our relationships with the educational institutions in the East Valley to keep the best and brightest in Gilbert.
6. Representation. Small businesses pay taxes; lots of taxes. I will ensure they have a bigger voice in Gilbert.
7. Treat our small and large businesses equal. Small business don’t want special treatment, they want free markets, level playing fields, and fair treatment. Too many times, they feel like second-class citizens to the larger businesses in our community.

These are just a few things we can do to improve the economic climate for our small businesses.