2025 Concordia Annual Summit

Reviving the American Dream: Small Business, Economic Freedom & the Road to Prosperity

  • Global Economy & Trade
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, The Hon. Kelly Loeffler

Session Summary

Important
Quotations

"There are 34.8 million small businesses in the United States. They are the backbone of the American economy."
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman
"America First is about American small business, about Main Street, about American industry and the American worker, because no one believes in those things like this president."
The Hon. Kelly Loeffler

Key
Takeaways

  • Small Business Economic Impact: Small businesses represent 99% of all businesses in America with 35 million enterprises, making them the backbone of the U.S. economy. The America First agenda directly translates to supporting American small business and Main Street prosperity.


  • Tax Policy & Business Confidence: The massive tax cut passed in July provides small businesses with long-term tax certainty including the 20% pass-through deduction and accelerated depreciation. Small business optimism has reached levels above the 52-year average, with confidence surging to its highest level since 2017.


  • Manufacturing & Workforce Renaissance: 98% of America’s manufacturers are small businesses. There’s significant momentum in “Made in America” manufacturing through advanced automation and AI integration, with $17 trillion in external investment coming in. The administration is re-emphasizing trades careers and veteran entrepreneurship after four years of de-emphasis.


  • Regulatory Reform Success: The administration implements a 10-to-1 regulatory elimination policy, actually achieving 12-20 regulations rolled back. Major victories include eliminating beneficial ownership requirements (saving $10 billion annually) and diesel exhaust fluid regulations (saving $800 million annually).


  • Strategic Public-Private Partnerships: The SBA operates as a unique public-private partnership delivering $30 billion in lending through 1,200 community lenders nationwide. The Small Business Innovation Research fund has deployed $80 billion, making it the world’s largest seed fund.

 

Action
Items

  • For Government Leaders: Continue 10-to-1 regulatory rollback, focusing on environmental and labor regulations impacting small businesses. Expand “Made in America” manufacturing programs for the 98% of manufacturers that are small businesses. Restore and expand veteran small business programs leveraging their leadership capabilities.

 

  • For Private Sector Partners: Partner with SBA on AI integration to serve as “rocket fuel for small business” growth. Expand community lending capacity beyond the current $30 billion through 1,200 lenders. Invest in trade education for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and manufacturing sectors.

 

  • For Small Business Owners: Leverage SBA resources including Small Business Development Centers for counseling. Apply for America’s Seed Fund opportunities, especially for dual-use technology. Utilize tax benefits including the 20% pass-through deduction now made permanent.

 

  • For Industry Associations: Facilitate supply chain integration between small manufacturers and larger supply chains. Support ongoing Regulatory Flexibility Act implementation protecting small businesses. Develop collaborative programs leveraging SBA’s $52 billion private equity investment capacity.

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