Virginia Small Business Assistance Program (VA SBAP)
Please note that due to a budgetary shortfall, the Virginia Small Business Assistance Program has been scaled back. The program will continue to provide updates to the web site, and will continue to provide small businesses free, confidential technical assistance just on a smaller scale.
If you need assistance, you may contact staff in the appropriate DEQ regional office, or Mike Dowd, the Air Division Director and Small Business Ombudsman. You can also visit the Business and Industry Resources web page, which provides a listing of businesses likely to be affected by the Clean Air Act and Virginia's Air Regulations. This page also provides regulatory information, guidance documents, trade association listings and additional useful information. The information will continue to be updated as provided.
Program History and Background
Section 507 of the 1990 Clean Air Act requires that all U.S. States have a small business assistance program. In 1992, the VA General Assembly established the Small Business Assistance Program in Virginia, with the passage of Senate Bill 509 and the subsequent changes to Virginia's Air Pollution Control Law, §10.1-1323 to §10.1-1326 of the Code of Virginia.
Compliance Advisory Panel
In 1992, the Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Small Business Environmental Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP). The panel consists of representatives from small businesses, the Virginia government and the public (see member list below). The CAP independently oversees the SBAP. The Panel reviews SBAP materials, that are developed for small businesses, to ensure clarity and ease of understanding. The Panel also develops and disseminates reports and advisory opinions on the SBAP and small business impacts/concerns. When the CAP meets issues or projects related to small business environmental compliance are discussed.
Members of the Small Business Environmental Compliance Advisory Panel:
John P. Dwyer, Chairman | Kelly Harris-Braxton | Patricia Carroll |
| Dr. Tom Digges, Jr. Virginia Semiconductor 1501 Powhatan St . Fredericksburg, VA 22401 | Howard L. Rogers | Vacant |
Mr. Dowd can be reached by phone at (804) 698-4284, toll-free in Virginia at 1-800-592-5482, ext. 4282, or by e-mail at michael.dowd@deq.virginia.gov.
Patti Higgins, Small Business Assistance Liaison can be reached at (804) 698-4394 or by email at osba@deq.virginia.gov