Corbett Joins U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Summit

Highlights New Strategies for Economic Growth and Job Creation

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Governor Tom Corbett joined a panel of governors today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Summit for a discussion on new and innovative state policies—including those in Pennsylvania—that support small businesses in a diverse, rapidly changing economic environment. The discussion focused on information contained in the Chamber’s Enterprising States study, which measures state performance overall and across five policy areas important for job growth and economic prosperity. Pennsylvania ranked 23rd for overall performance in this year’s report.

“Small business is already leading the recovery, but with the right policies we can move past the recovery stage and on to revitalization,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “We need more state policies like those implemented by the governors here today to drive stronger growth, competition, and success among small businesses. When these businesses succeed, America succeeds.”

Governor Corbett discussed specific policies and programs that his administration has implemented and overseen to encourage entrepreneurship and support business development and expansion. One example, the Keystone Works program, is designed to put unemployed Pennsylvanians back to work while increasing workforce supply in high-priority occupations. The Team Pennsylvania Foundation, co-chaired by Governor Corbett, is another program aimed at helping the commonwealth’s jobs market. This nonprofit public-private partnership identifies and advocates for policies and reforms that allow business and government to work together in creating jobs.

Another example of business-friendly programs operating under the Corbett administration is the commonwealth’s Business Opportunity Fund, which provides aid to various types of small businesses that might otherwise face difficulty accessing financing. Governor Corbett has also made infrastructure improvements one of the Keystone State’s economic growth priorities, working with state leaders to advocate for upgrades and expansion of the Port of Philadelphia and launching a Transportation Funding Advisory Committee.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Governor Corbett. “Our small businesses are significant employers, often playing a vital role in the health of our communities and my administration has made supporting them a priority. In Pennsylvania we are working hard to improve the business climate for all businesses and the reforms we are working towards will have a significant impact on our small employers.”

Governor Corbett was joined on the panel by Governors Paul LePage of Maine and Scott Walker of Wisconsin, which also marked the release of the fourth Enterprising States study. The study, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and prepared by The Praxis Strategy Group, found that states and cities should consider small business development not as a separate cause, but as a basic building block for economic growth. Even if state governments can do little to promote enterprise and small business development directly, there are things they can do to increase the chances that entrepreneurs will thrive. Smart, pragmatic economic policymaking at the state level can play an instrumental role in fostering startups and growing companies, particularly when programs are effectively deployed right where the businesses are located.

This year, the Chamber’s study is also available in an online platform, which allows users to search and sort through state-specific data. This interactive tool is designed to help users view and share the study’s findings.

The Enterprising States dashboard is available here, and the full study is available here.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America's long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment. USCCF presents a broad range of programs that promote a greater understanding of economic and public affairs issues.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.