WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sens. John F. Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released a report today detailing successful practices for assisting small businesses currently being implemented throughout the United States. The comprehensive reference guide, entitled “What Works for Small Businesses,” contains hundreds of innovative methods to enhance entrepreneurship and improve the economy.

Kerry and Snowe reached out to every state in the country in search of programs, policies and initiatives that have proven successful in encouraging and supporting small business development. The comprehensive reference guide consists of hundreds of responses from economic development agencies and policymakers in 38 states detailing effective practices that may work for entrepreneurs in other states. While Kerry and Snowe have not specifically endorsed any of these ideas, state and local authorities on economic development suggested them as examples of what works for small firms today.

“These ideas have been put into action and are actually working today for small businesses,” Kerry said. “I hope that the programs detailed in this guide will be embraced and improved upon by state and local governments across America to provide support for entrepreneurs.”

“The best practices guide we are releasing today will greatly benefit economic development agencies seeking practical and proven solutions to address challenges facing small businesses,” said Senator Snowe. “By compiling a list of effective initiatives, the guide will also help policymakers transplant to their state and local communities programs that are demonstrating results in other areas of the country. Instead of reinventing the wheel each time a new problem arises, the guide truly provides a valuable menu of inventive proposals to fix a wide variety of problems.”

Click here to read the “What Works for Small Businesses” reference guide.