Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts Urged to Protect E-Commerce Tools for Small Business

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Business leaders in Nebraska today sent a letter to Governor Ricketts urging continued support for online tools and e-commerce platforms vital to preserving small business activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by the Connected Commerce Council (3C), the letter was signed by 34 Nebraska-based leaders representing a range of digitally empowered small businesses, including Bryant Family Insurance in Lincoln

“Access to online tools enables websites, analytics, digital ads, online marketplaces, and e-commerce platforms to empower retailers, restaurants, service providers, and Nebraska small businesses of all types,” wrote Nebraska business leaders. “Now, more than ever, businesses and the Nebraskans they serve benefit from the stability, scale, and security of these tools.”

The letter also warned Governor Ricketts that controversial campaigns against U.S. tech companies like Google threaten to block access to vital online tools for small business and short-circuit any economic recovery.

“With storefronts closed across the country, the tools offered by companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon have become vital economic lifelines for countless small business owners and entrepreneurs,” said 3C President Jake Ward. “We’re fortunate to have leaders like Governor Ricketts who understand what it takes for Nebraska to compete in the digital economy, but we continue to see misguided anti-tech campaigns that create needless uncertainty for small businesses just working to stay afloat.”

“Most small businesses have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Many of us who are getting by are doing so with online digital tools playing a bigger role in how we serve our customers than ever before. Additional rules and regulations on technology will hurt small businesses at a time when we literally can least afford it,” said Rob Bryant owner of Bryant Family Insurance in Lincoln.

A copy of the letter and a list of signers is available here.