Expand small business opportunities through procurement.   The City of Charlotte does not promote area small businesses sufficiently through its procurement policies.  As Mayor, Anthony Foxx will initiate a comprehensive review and revision of the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program, including reducing red tape in the certification process and expanding the $200,000 cap on contracts for which SBE are eligible to compete.

One-stop resource center.   Charlotte has many small business resources but they are dispersed.  Small business owners and entrepreneurs need accessible help.  As Mayor, Anthony will work with other partners, including the City of Charlotte Neighborhood and Business Services Department, Central Piedmont Community College, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, the Ben Craig Center and others to collaborate on a one-stop resource center. 

Improve access to capital.  Small businesses have been hit particularly hard by tight credit in the financial markets.  As mayor, Anthony will work on two fronts to improve access to capital:

• Access to capital conference:  As Mayor, Anthony will organize an annual “Access to Capital” conference to bring a national network of venture capital and financial institutions to Charlotte to network with area small businesses and entrepreneurs. 
• Expanded Small Business Loan Program: As Mayor, Anthony will work to expand the city small business loan program to provide support for displaced workers in emerging industries, including financial services, clean energy and biotechnology. 

Expedited permitting.  Time is money, and Anthony understands that the often slow city permitting process can destroy startups from succeeding.  Anthony will cut red tape and accelerate the permitting process to help small businesses open on time.

Fiscal responsibility in city government.   Anthony has a long track record of making fiscally responsible decisions in city government.  As Mayor, he has called for a “zero-based” review of the city budget.   Through such an effort, Anthony will work to reduce the impact of taxes on families and small businesses by delivering a more efficient and effective city government.