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<p class="MsoNormal">Good morning, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I mentioned in our call this morning, our advocacy efforts that began about 18 months ago have been a slow process. That effort has resulted in Senate Bill, entitled “Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act”.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Attached is the original letter and proposal to Senator Lankford (who served on the EDA committee). Also attached is a one-page info sheet as well as the actual bill draft. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Currently, the national advocacy effort is concentrating on generating support amongst targeted senate members in the position to help move this legislation forward. I have been in contact with Sen. Inhofe’s office, working through his
Chief of Staff who has reported that the senator has decided to take a neutral position at this time. Although this is not the response we had hoped for, we also do not consider it adversarial. The reasoning given provided good information to help guide
the next communication in the advocacy efforts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I just wanted to provide you with an update. At this time, we will wait on further advisement from our National MS reps. I will continue to track the progress as it [hopefully] makes its way through the Senate.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have our Main Street coordinating programs and communities validated with funding programs to support the great work we do every day and our small businesses?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a great week!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vicki<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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