About OSBA
The Office of Small Business Advocacy (OSBA) helps small business owners navigate state and local government agencies.
We help Nevada’s entrepreneurs every day as they start and grow their business and navigate hurdles related to licensing, funding, and business regulations.
History
In 2021, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development published Nevada’s Plan for Recovery & Resiliency. The Recovery & Resiliency Plan identified five priority areas for intervention by the state. One of these was increased support for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
One of the major recommendations from Nevada’s Recovery & Resiliency Plan was the establishment of a state office focused on helping small business owners navigate hurdles related to an oftentimes confusing array of licensing, funding, and business regulations.
During Nevada’s 81st Legislative Session (2021), former Speaker of the Assembly Jason Frierson and Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson introduced AB 184 and created the Office of Small Business Advocacy.
The bill outlined a three-pronged approach to the Office:
- Provide Nevada’s small businesses with a point of contact – a centralized hub – when they need assistance within the city, county, or state government ecosystem;
- Direct entrepreneurs to opportunities for seed funding, venture capital, and grant opportunities;
- Collect information on the obstacles facing small businesses and entrepreneurs and recommend improvements to state and local governments.
“The office will serve as a direct resource for small businesses, providing one-to-one case management to help Nevada’s small businesses navigate government rules and regulations, assisting them in problem solving, and connecting them with resources they need. The advocate would also give small businesses a voice in state government, collecting information on the problems Nevada’s small businesses face, and bringing this information to the Governor and Legislature so roadblocks can be removed and services improved.”
Serving Nevada's Entrepreneurs
OSBA helps small business owners navigate state and local government agencies.
The Office helps Nevada’s entrepreneurs every day as they start and grow their business and navigate hurdles related to licensing, funding, and business regulations.
OSBA serves Nevada’s entrepreneurs by:
Recommending Improvements
OSBA works with small business owners, business resource agencies, and local governments to identify and recommend improvements to issues related to getting a business license, business regulations, and licensing requirements.
Mediating
OSBA ensures small business owners understand current regulations and can provide comment or feedback on cumbersome or onerous regulations effecting their industry or business. OSBA also serves as a mediator between small business and state and local agencies.
Resolving Issues
OSBA ensures small business owners receive timely responses to any inquiry or request; resolves issues that arise in the administrative, regulatory, or enforcement functions of a state agency with respect to small businesses; and identifies and recommends efficient, responsive, and nonretaliatory procedures.
Highlighting Resources
OSBA works together with other small business organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, the SBA, and local/industry-specific Chambers of Commerce across the state. When small business owners approach OSBA with issues related to starting, operating, or winding down their business, OSBA directs them to appropriate resources and contacts.
