While the first two weeks of the Alabama Legislature’s 2021 regular session featured three priority, pro-jobs bills being enacted into law, there was also another major piece of news important to businesses that occurred outside of the legislative process — but still in Montgomery.
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Wednesday announced that he has appointed State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) to chair the Alabama Small Business Commission, a panel tasked with recommending policies and legislation benefiting small businesses operating across the state.
The legislature codified the commission by statute during its 2019 regular session and placed it under the authority of the lieutenant governor’s office.
The 22-member commission is tasked with formulating “policies encouraging innovation of small businesses in the state” and advising the Department of Commerce on promoting small businesses within the Yellowhammer State.
“As a small business owner, I understand the importance of giving entrepreneurs a louder voice in government and better lines of communication with the state agencies that are supposed to serve them,” Ainsworth said in a statement. “As a career financial officer, Rep. Garrett devoted much of his professional life toward working with businesses of all sizes – from small vendors and suppliers to major employers – and I am confident his experience will serve this commission well.”
First elected to the legislature in 2014 and reelected without opposition in 2018, Garrett last year chaired the Small Business Commission’s Emergency Task Force and its Subcommittee to Reopen the Economy, which were formed by Ainsworth.
In that role, the state representative from Jefferson County helped prepare the blueprint that was used to reopen Alabama’s economy with a particular emphasis on putting small businesses back to work.
“Small business owners face a unique set of obstacles just to stay in business, and our commission is dedicated to removing those challenges so they can grow, thrive, expand, and provide more jobs and opportunities for Alabamians,” Garrett stated. “I appreciate Lt. Gov. Ainsworth’s confidence and will work hard to fulfill the mandate he has laid before us.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.