SmallBusinessNewz

Small business owners may have gained a powerful new ally.  Google, the search giant with a market cap of about $124 billion, has introduced the Small Business Network, an initiative designed to communicate little firms' interests to lawmakers.

An introductory note on the Small Business Network's new homepage explains, "Google wants to know about the issues that are important to you so that we can better invest in your goals and objectives and ultimately, your success.  New laws, regulations and other public policy initiatives at the federal and state levels should be designed with your best interests in mind."

Since Google's already proven it has the ability to get all sorts of stuff done (and its CEO, Eric Schmidt, was named to a presidential advisory council on Monday), this development looks promising.  The corporation can muster a lot more support (or at least more media coverage) than most small business organizations.

As for what, specifically, it might focus on, "We plan to tackle a number of important technology policy issues - the first two of which are increasing broadband access and preserving an open Internet.  And we also want to have a dialogue with small business owners about other issues that affect their online business."

So with a bias towards Web-related matters, think about how Google and lawmakers could lend you a hand and then share your thoughts on the Small Business Network site.