Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
As part of its mission to advocate for its members, the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) hosted a small business and government roundtable June 28-29 at its Indianapolis headquarters.
The event allowed independent home improvement retailers to discuss their legislative concerns and the regulatory challenges they face each day as small business owners. Attendees met with government and policy experts who provided insight into the current U.S. political climate and gave advice on how retailers can help influence legislative change.
NRHA president and CEO Bill Lee detailed the top 10 government concerns retailers expressed in NRHA’s recent small business and government survey. The most pressing issue for survey respondents and attendants was the health care overhaul and how it may impact retailers’ bottom lines. Other concerns included internet sales tax laws, minimum wage and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.
Jeff Cardwell, owner of Cardwell Do it Best Home Center in Indianapolis, and former Indiana Republican Party chairman, helped lead the roundtable discussions. Ed Simcox of the Indiana Energy Association and Bill Smith, president and CEO of government relations firm Sextons Creek, also addressed attendees. U.S. Small Business Administration assistant director Holly Turner answered questions via conference call.
“Right, left, middle or indifferent, this is a powerful opportunity for someone to reach out on behalf of an issue, industry or community,” says Craig Miller, general manager of Miller Lumber Co. in Augusta, Kentucky, who attended the event.
For more information on upcoming NRHA roundtables, visit nrha.org/RLI.
