Strategies: President Obama, small businesses need a 'WPA'

— -- On Jan. 20, Barack Obama takes over the helm of government, and in large measure, will set the course of the American economy.

Mr. President — may I call you that already? — as you are almost certainly aware, small businesses and the self-employed represent approximately 50% of America's gross domestic product. To help rebuild the American economy, you must directly and significantly help America's small businesses.

To that end, I suggest as one of your first acts, that you adopt a "WPA"-type program for small businesses — a program that will enable small companies to adopt new technologies, adapt new strategies, expand and add jobs. (The WPA, or Works Progress Administration, was a massive Depression-era program that funded infrastructure projects, such as bridges and roads, but also programs such as job training, bringing electricity to rural communities, hiring artists and writers and funding cultural activities.)

My concept of a rebuilding program for small companies — I call it the "Grow America" program — is designed to provide small companies and the self-employed with:

• Subsidized direct technical assistance.

• Grants and loans for adopting new — especially green — technologies.

• Tax incentives for adding employees.

• An online portal for small-business information and connecting to pre-vetted service providers.

• Information and training for those who are laid off and can't find other jobs to successfully make the transition to self-employment.

Let's say there's a dry cleaner in Phoenix. Right now, I'm guessing they're struggling to adapt to new environmental requirements. They may not have a website or have the ability to use even simple online marketing techniques. In this economy, they're almost certainly in danger of closing.

Instead, a WPA-program would provide a "Growth Team" to assist that small dry cleaner, helping them access government loans or grants to adopt the new technologies necessary to become "green," and also providing pre-vetted, government-subsidized small-business consultants to help them market their business, put up a website. This, of course, would also provide work for self-employed marketing consultants, graphic designers, technology providers.