COLUMBUS—State Representative Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) today applauded the House passage of House Bill 218, legislation aimed at improving coordination and communication between state government and small businesses.
The legislation would create an “entrepreneur in residence” (EIR) program, in which private sector entrepreneurs would volunteer at state agencies and offer feedback as to how the state can better reach out to small businesses. This would include suggestions regarding burdensome regulations and other ideas to increase efficiency.
“In my experience as a small business owner, I can see the value of such a program to provide business owners with the necessary resources and support offered by an agency,” Romanchuk said. “One of the goals of this program is that state government will become more accessible to the business community by having a knowledgeable person working in this new role.”
Similar to a program recently implemented in Texas, HB 218 would also establish duties for entrepreneurs who are assigned to an agency. In addition to making recommendations to state agencies for how they can improve their functions, entrepreneurs’ duties would include educating small businesses about the particular agency and assisting businesses in accessing the agency’s services.
The Governor’s Small Business Advisory Council would evaluate the pilot program, at which time the Council would determine whether the initiative should be continued.
HB 218 will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
