The SEDR Program is an affiliate of Friends of Chester County focused on strengthening America’s middle class communities.
The Small Enterprise Development Research Program is dedicated to the following ideas:
Small enterprises, including businesses, but also self-employed individuals, churches, and non-profits, are the backbone of the middle class. When these entities are plentiful and successful, they spread wealth, improve the quality of daily life, and influence political leaders to be more responsive.
Small enterprises are in decline in the United States. Their decline has led to a consolidation of economic, cultural, and political power. This consolidation of power has resulted in policies that make small enterprises less successful, thus creating a negative cycle.
The purpose of SEDR Program is to study and understand this cycle, and to advocate for policies that would benefit the survival and flourishing of these small enterprises.
The small enterprise development research grant
The SEDR Grant is a $1,000 dollar grant awarded to a research project with a focus on studying the economics and political economy of small enterprises and their effect on wealth dispersion, democratization, and civic strength.
The SEDR Grant program is managed through a non-profit affiliate of FoCC, and donations are separate from PAC activities.
the small enterprise development fellowship
This four month summer fellowship program runs from May until September.
We are committed to advocating for the following policies:
Lowering taxes and regulatory costs for small enterprises
Eliminating or reducing barriers to foreign investment in emerging enterprises
Reforming law to allow for small enterprises to more easily take advantage of globalization and technology
Advocating for tax deductible political donations for small enterprises