CVB President/CEO Judy Ryals appointed by Governor Bentley to Alabama Small Business Commission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2017
(Huntsville, AL) – Judy Ryals, President/CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), has been appointed by Governor Robert Bentley to the Alabama Small Business Commission.
The Alabama Small Business Commission, created by executive order in September, serves as an advisory body in formulating policies, encouraging innovation, and discussing issues critical to the economic growth of small businesses. The Commission promotes policies to assist new business start-ups and the expansion of existing businesses. Members of the Commission will be made up entirely of small business owners from across the state.
“Small businesses are an integral part of the framework that makes up the American economic system,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We have assembled an impressive group of twenty-five Alabama small business owners from every region of Alabama to discuss issues essential to the growth of small business and promote policies to assist new business start-ups and expansion of existing businesses. Each member brings a unique perspective and a wealth of real world
experience on what it takes to be a successful small business owner. I am looking forward to hearing the ideas and recommendations from the new members as they share a common goal of supporting the growth of both new and existing small businesses.”
The Commission members will serve a two year term with the option of a two year reappointment. For the purposes of this Commission, the definition of a small business will be 50 or fewer employees. Governor Bentley also announced the launch of Atlas Alabama, a new website for entrepreneurs and small business owners that will provide a consolidated access point for basic information on doing business in Alabama including details on licenses, taxes, loans, funding sources and insurance. In addition, the site features a comprehensive list of national and state resource partners that exist to assist small business owners. The link to Atlas Alabama is http://www.atlasalabama.gov/.
Atlas Alabama also represents the Alabama Small Business Commission and Advisory Committee, detailing its mission and listing its members. The website will provide a collaborative forum for the public to submit recommendations to the Commission.
Rosemary Elebash, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, chairs the Commission and Advisory Committee. The Commission will present an annual report to the Governor at the end of each calendar year.
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About Huntsville/Madison County CVB
The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization which was developed in 1970 to create economic growth for Huntsville/Madison County by marketing the city as a top-of-mind convention and visitor destination. As the official city/county agency which promotes the area as a tourist destination and convention site, the CVB works with an array of hospitality industry partners to market our destination to visitors of all types.
