As a business owner, understanding how public policy affects your business isn’t optional, it’s critical to ensuring sustainable growth and mitigating risk. Public policy can significantly impact your operations, opportunities, and obligations.
To help keep it simple, consider how these public policy areas can impact your business:

1. Taxation: This is the lowest hanging fruit. Familiarize yourself with state and local tax laws, including income tax, sales tax, property tax, and corporate taxes. Knowledge of available tax incentives and credits can positively influence your financial planning. Regardless of your industry or business size, consider hiring a local tax pro will take the guesswork out of taxes and advise you on best practices.
2. Regulatory Environment: Comprehend the regulatory landscape governing your industry, from licensing requirements to health and environmental standards. Staying compliant with these regulations is essential to avoid penalties and legal issues. For some businesses, staying up to date on regulation changes is also an opportunity to identify new business lines as compliance standards change and some companies seek outside help. To find local pros to help your business stay compliant with environmental, health and safety, or other regulation, check out our member listings.
3. Workforce and Labor Programs:  Alabama has rolled a plethora of incentives and programs in recent years aimed at helping businesses find and retain talent. With all of these opportunities, it helps to have someone who can serve as a guide. Shoals Chamber VP of Workforce Programs Stephanie Newland has over 25 years of experience navigating workforce programs for Shoals businesses.
4. Economic Development Incentives: Explore available incentives for businesses, such as grants, loans, and workforce programs, to maximize growth opportunities and expand your operations. The Shoals Chamber works closely with the Shoals EDA and state agencies to aid businesses in the Shoals secure every resource needed to succeed.
5. Infrastructure and Transportation: Stay informed about infrastructure projects and transportation developments that may affect your business's accessibility and logistics. The Shoals Chamber actively advocates for local infrastructure improvements. If you would like to be involved in local advocacy, contact the Chamber’s Director of Business advocacy Sam Mashburn.
6. Procurement Processes: If your business engages in government contracts, understand the procurement process, bidding requirements, and compliance standards. For help with federal contracting, consider contacting the Small Business Development Center at UNA.
7. Zoning and Building Ordinances: when opening a new business, consider if your plan complies with local zoning ordinances and building codes. The Chamber is happy to provide guidance on first steps for businesses building a new presence in the Shoals. Contacting local architects and contractors who know the area is a key for any new building project.

Final thought:
Call on your Chamber! The Shoals Chamber’s mission is to provide advocacy, connection, and education for Shoals businesses. Our dedicated staff is committed to empowering Shoals business leaders to be advocates for public policy that helps them thrive. We have the conversations with the people who matter about the issues that matter to you. We have resources to keep you informed and engaged. If there’s a public policy issue we can help your business with, please contact us.