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April 18, 2023 Last Edit: June 5, 2025
The presentation was made a NFIB's Small Business Day at the Capitol
Sen. Clay Scofield Earns Guardian of Small Business Award
The Guardian of Small Business Award is the most prestigious honor the National Federation of Independent Business bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small businesses. The NFIB Alabama Leadership Council, an advisory board comprised of NFIB members, voted to present the award to Senator Scofield for his outstanding leadership on small business issues. Scofield, who represents District 9, has earned a 100% NFIB voting record since he was elected in 2010. “Senator Scofield has been a strong advocate for small business, and he has taken the lead in working to expand broadband in rural Alabama,” NFIB State Director Rosemary Elebash said. “Just as businesses couldn’t compete in the 20th century without a telephone, businesses in the 21st century need a fast, affordable, always-on internet connection. Rural broadband is essential if Alabama is going to attract new industries and help local businesses and communities stay competitive.”Proud to present state Sen. Clay Scofield (@ALConservative) with the @NFIB Guardian of #SmallBusiness Award for everything he’s done to help Alabama’s job creators! pic.twitter.com/OYK67d7dAO
— NFIB Alabama (@nfib_al) April 18, 2023
Small Business Day
Following the presentation of the Guardian award, state Reps. Jim Carns, Joe Lovvorn, Rhett Marques, and Matt Woods participated in a panel discussion on issues affecting Alabama’s small businesses, and NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Beth Milito briefed attendees on some of the work the association is doing on their behalf in the nation’s courts. Connie Rowe, a former state representative who currently serves as Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth’s senior advisor, also spoke about small business issues, and Houston Blackwood, workforce director of the Alabama Community College System’s Innovation Center, talked about the importance of preparing people to fill the positions that are currently available. “I want to thank all of the elected leaders and state officials who took the time to visit with us today,” Elebash said. “NFIB is the voice of small business in Alabama, and I think this shows that these leaders want to hear what we have to say.”
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