Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Urged to Protect E-Commerce Tools for Small Business

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee (May 21, 2020) – Community leaders and small businesses throughout Tennessee sent a letter calling on Governor Bill Lee and other state policymakers to preserve access to business-critical digital tools and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and the long recovery period ahead. Led by the Connected Commerce Council (3C), the letter was signed by over 80 Tennessee-based leaders representing a range of digitally empowered small businesses, including Gloria Giorno Group in Brentwood.

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

The letter also cautioned Governor Lee that controversial campaigns against U.S. tech companies like Google and Facebook create unnecessary instability for millions of American small businesses using these tools and services to run and operate their businesses.

“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. “Governor Lee and leaders like him throughout the state understand what it takes for Tennessee to compete in the digital economy, and they know that now is not the time to put small businesses at a disadvantage or slow their recovery.”

“Like many Tennessee businesses, COVID-19 has disrupted our company’s business plan and forced us to rely more heavily on our e-commerce platforms,” said Gloria Giorno, owner of the Gloria Giorno Group. “During this difficult time, it is imperative that we do not impose additional regulations on tech so our online digital tools, such as our email, website, digital ads, and social media presence, remain accessible and affordable. Please continue to stand with small businesses across Tennessee as we work to bring our economy back around.”

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