Curtis K. Richardson Appointed By
Governor Bentley to the Alabama Small Business Commission
BIRMINGHAM
– Curtis K. Richardson, President and CEO of C&J Electrical Services, LLC has been
appointed by Governor Robert Bentley to the Alabama Small Business
Commission. The Commission held its
first meeting in Montgomery on Tuesday, October 21st with Governor
Bentley calling the meeting to order.
The Alabama Small Business Commission, created by executive
order in September, serves as an advisory body in formulating policies,
encouraging innovation, and discussing issues critical to the economic growth
of small businesses. The Commission promotes policies to assist new
business start-ups and the expansion of existing businesses. Members of the
Commission will be made up entirely of small business owners from across the
state.
“Small businesses are the engines of job growth and an
integral part of the framework that makes up the American economic system,”
Governor Robert Bentley said. “We have assembled an impressive group of thirty
Alabama small business owners from every corner of Alabama to discuss issues
critical to the growth of small business and promote policies to assist new
business start-ups and expansion of existing businesses. Each member brings a
wealth of real world experience on what it takes to be a successful small
business owner. The knowledge members will share with the rest of the
commission is integral to helping support the growth of both new and existing
small businesses.”
The Commission members will serve a two year term with the
option of a two year reappointment. For the purposes of this Commission,
the definition of a small business will be 50 or fewer employees. During the meeting
Tuesday, Governor Bentley announced the launch of Atlas Alabama, a new website
for entrepreneurs and small business owners that will provide a consolidated
access point for basic information on doing business in Alabama including
details on licenses, taxes, loans, funding sources and insurance. In addition,
the site features a comprehensive list of national and state resource partners
that exist to assist small business owners.
The link to Atlas Alabama is http://www.atlasalabama.gov/
Atlas Alabama also represents the Alabama Small Business
Commission and Advisory Committee, detailing its mission and listing its
members. The website will provide a collaborative forum for the public to
submit recommendations to the Commission.
Rosemary Elebash, State Director for the National
Federation of Independent Business chairs the Commission and Advisory
Committee. The Commission will present an annual report to the Governor at the
end of each calendar year beginning December of 2015.