December 30, 2003

Center Expands Environmental Compliance Assistance To Businesses

The Idaho Small Business Development Center (Idaho SBDC) has expanded its ability to provide environmental compliance assistance, thanks to a partnership with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Idaho SBDC and DEQ have entered into an agreement relocating the state’s Small Business Assistance Program from DEQ to the Idaho SBDC. Small business liaison Sally Tarowsky, who has worked for DEQ for 10 years, will be housed at the SBDC where she will continue to provide environmental compliance assistance to small businesses in the state. DEQ spearheaded the program shift, in consultation with the Idaho Legislature’s Environmental Common Sense Committee, state budget officials, DEQ program heads and small business owners, to provide a “one-stop shop” where small businesses can obtain on-site environmental assistance in addition to tax, labor and other to advice provided by the Idaho SBDC. “We want to make it as easy as possible for small businesses to understand and comply with environmental regulations,” said DEQ Chief of Staff Jon Sandoval. “This move will greatly enhance access by small businesses to environmental information.” Tarowsky will team with other university faculty and resources to provide workshops, confidential one-on-one consultations, website resources and written materials that simplify environmental issues for small businesses. About 97 percent of Idaho firms are considered small businesses — those with less than 500 employees. Of them, 87 percent have fewer than 20 employees. The firms with fewer than 20 employees often spend four to five times as much per employee to comply with environmental regulations than larger firms, according to the Small Business Administration. “I’ve found that small businesses want to do the right thing, but it’s hard for them to keep up with environmental regulations,” said Jim Hogge, SBDC state director. “With this move, we have expanded our ability to help them understand their obligations and find ways to reduce their regulatory burden.” For more information, call the Idaho SBDC at 208-426-1640. -30- Contact Jim Hogge Idaho Small Business Development Center 208-426-1640 Media Contact Sherry Squires Boise State University communications and marketing 208-426-1563