Clay Montgomery operates “Arrow M Enterprises,” a tiny blacksmith business outside of Mingus, Texas, wherein he creates hand-forged metal sculptures and grilling utensils. He also produces “Bite My Butt” pork rub and a fiery barbecue sauce. In recent years, Montgomery’s blacksmith shop has been designated as a member of the “Connected Commerce Council,” a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that purports to lobby on behalf of small companies.
The council identifies itself on its website as a non-profit membership group with a single mission: “to support small companies’ access to vital digital technologies and resources.” According to its website, the organization, which pushes against harsh regulation of large tech corporations, also seeks to ensure that “policymakers understand the critical junction of technology and small business.” But there’s one problem: Montgomery claims he’s not a member of the Connected Business Council and has never heard of it.
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The blacksmith told CNBC that he would never join a Washington-based tech lobbying group. “Technology isn’t really my strong suit,” he said. Montgomery isn’t the only small company owner who has been perplexed by the fact that their name has been posted as a member of the Connected Commerce Council, often known as “3C.” More than 20 additional “members” contacted by CNBC indicated they had never known of the organization and had no idea why they were on their mailing list.
The council, which bills itself as a grassroots campaign occasionally referred company owners, is actually a well-heeled lobbying organization supported by tech behemoths Google and Amazon. On the organization’s website, the two IT firms are identified as “partners.” They are also the council’s primary financial backing at the moment, 3C spokesperson Chris Grimm revealed to CNBC.
Source: CNBC News