CompTIA Says President’s Budget Promising for Small Business Jobs
Urges Other Ideas to Stimulate Recovery, IT Uptake
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The following statement may be attributed to Bob Kramer, Vice President of Public Policy for the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA):
With the details yet to be dissected, CompTIA believes President Obama’s just-proposed budget shows promise for boosting U.S. jobs and the competitive strength of American small companies. Of its many provisions, a centerpiece of the proposal is its focus on small business job creation. This proposal deserves serious consideration. Small companies, such as those in our membership, play an underappreciated, yet yeoman’s job, in our economy. The Administration rightly should focus much of its efforts on this important sector, which creates nearly 70% of all U.S. jobs.
Recently, CompTIA’s IT Industry Business Confidence Survey hinted at renewed optimism for our economy. The index had its largest surge ever in December 2009. To this end, more than one-third of IT executives surveyed see their capital expenditures increasing in the next six months, compared to 24 percent in September. And for jobs growth, nearly one-third surveyed plan to add staff, also up from 24 percent in the September survey.
While these signs are good for the IT industry, they portend even better outcomes for America’s small businesses and related growth and prosperity. More companies and households – those that have put off IT purchases for months – look to update or add productivity-enhancing IT to their competitive toolboxes. We believe these purchases will translate into more jobs, helping small companies and their workers better compete domestically and in expanding foreign markets.
For our members, the Administration’s plans offer more evidence that small IT businesses such as theirs have an important role in our recovery. They are eager to help. We hope also that as the Administration and Congress work through the budget details, they address other matters, which will improve the prospects for a vibrant and sustained recovery. These ideas include:
Though the economic turbulence of the past year has tended to crowd-out small business matters on Capitol Hill, the President has come to realize their proper role in getting the U.S. back on its feet. Accordingly, our small IT companies look forward to participating in the recovery; and our industry stands ready to help the U.S. emerge stronger from these difficult times.
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.