WASHINGTON, D.C.- Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan was honored last week with a Champion of Small Business award from the National Coalition for Capital. Dan and 34 fellow legislators and officials from across the nation were recognized for their leadership at the annual National Coalition for Capital Awards Ceremony on August 19th in Minneapolis, MN. Champion of Small Business Awards recognize individuals for demonstrating leadership in supporting policies and initiatives designed to promote access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those in economically distressed communities.
"This award recognizes Dan's important work to preserve and create jobs through access to capital policy that helps Missouri small businesses grow and develop," said Greg McIlvaine, President of the National Coalition for Capital. "Dan has demonstrated he is a champion of small business, and his efforts will have an enduring positive impact on Missouri."
Dan joined the Missouri Chamber of Commerce in 1995 and, as the current President and CEO, he oversees the operation of the state's largest business association with more than 3000 employers that provide jobs for more than 425,000 Missouri employees. Under Dan's leadership the Missouri Chamber has been instrumental in holding the line on employers' taxes and has helped secure numerous economic development initiatives. Dan also built the Missouri Chamber PAC, which has played a key role in several pro-business political issue campaigns and in helping to elect a pro-business administration and legislature. Dan was a strong advocate for expanding the Missouri New MArkets Development Program, which has attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in capital to the state's low-income communities.
"Now more than ever, it's critical that elected officials do their part to advance innovative access to capital policies that allow small businesses to grow and prosper," said Mehan. "I am pleased to be among those honored for supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs as they strive to preserve and grow jobs in their communities."
The National Coalition for Capital hosts an annual awards ceremony during the week of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit to recognize individuals for taking a leading role in fostering access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The National Coalition for Capital is a non-profit, nationwide coalition of leaders supporting economic development and job creation through long-term access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs. To learn more about the Coalition, visit www.nationalcoalitionforcapital.org.