LIers call for small-business forum

It has been more than a decade since the last White House Conference on Small Business, and Long Island business and political leaders are asking President Barack Obama to convene another session, given the health care, technology and financial issues facing small businesses these days.

Melville-based Action Long Island, one of the region's largest business organizations, is spearheading the effort. ALI plans to hold a news conference Monday to discuss its request. ALI chairman Sheldon Sackstein, in a letter signed by other business groups and political figures, asked Obama to "expeditiously set planning in motion" for the next conference.

White House officials did not immediately respond for comment.

A small business is defined as one with 500 or fewer employees, but most are much smaller than that.

Pearl Kamer, an economist with the Long Island Association, the region's largest business group, said about two-thirds of Long Island's approximately 80,000 companies have fewer than 20 employees.

"The objective is to bring the issues of small business to Congress so Congress can change those things that are impediments and at the same time encourage small businesses," Sackstein said.

The Island organizations involved in the effort want to discuss health care, better ways to secure loans from banks and other lenders, the explosion of technology and its implication for small companies, immigration and hiring issues.

E. Christopher Murray, president of the Nassau Council Chambers of Commerce, said such a conference would be worthwhile.

"The trick is to keep your agenda upfront with the policy makers," Murray said. "You get some face time with them."

At the last White House Conference on Small Business, in 1995, 2,000 small business owners, corporate executives and employees spent a week in Washington, D.C., and focused largely on trade issues.