Small Business Owners Gather to Fight for Action to Spur Growth

Press Release

Small Business Owners and other Local Business Leaders Join Rep. Peters in Kicking-off County-wide Small Business Tour to Convince Washington to Enact Policies to Encourage Innovation and Create Jobs

Southeast Michigan small business owners met on Main Street in Rochester today to fight to convince Washington to do more to promote small business growth in our area and across the country. Small business owners, along with Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority officials and other business leaders, discussed their take on the direction of Michigan's economy and their outlook for the future, challenges they currently face and what Washington ought to be doing to help create a better environment to foster innovation and growth. The small business owners joined U.S. Representative Gary Peters as he kicked-off a door-to-door small business tour in cities across the region to gather input from small business owners that he will deliver to congressional leaders and administration officials to help convince them to enact more pro-small business policies.

"Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America. Creating an environment to foster innovation and growth at our smaller employers is the key reinvigorating our economy," said Rep. Peters. "No one knows better what needs to be done to create new jobs more than local small business owners and we need to make Washington listen to them. My plan will allow our entrepreneurs to lead Michigan's economic revival and create jobs."

"It's been tough out there, no doubt about that," said Jim Holland, owner of Holland's Floral & Gifts. "And sometimes it seems like Washington doesn't get it. But I am encouraged about Representative Peters' proposals and the ideas coming from other small business owners and I am hopeful that we can see more pro-small businesses policies enacted soon."

"I think the worst may be behind us," said Kristi Trevarrow, Executive Director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority. "We've got a long way to go but I feel like there is pent up entrepreneurial spirit and good ideas ready to be unleashed. If Michigan businessmen and women could just get a little push, like new tax cuts or a little help getting the loan they need to start a new project, we can create thousands of jobs and get the economy rolling again."

At the event, Peters discussed measures he is fighting for to improve the environment for small business such as legislation to help expand small business lending and cut small business taxes. A major initiative Peters long fought for is gaining momentum, having earned the endorsement of the Obama Administration and passing in committee. The House is likely to soon vote on the measure. Peters developed these proposals based on ideas from local small business owners, including those raised at a field hearing he convened last year in order to have Members of Congress come to Michigan to hear from small businesses directly. Peters wants more ideas from small business owners so he can fight to make Washington turn those ideas into pro-small business policies.

"Wall Street has admitted they have redlined Michigan," Rep. Peters said. "We cannot let Wall Street hold our small businesses and our economic future hostage. Our economy depends on our entrepreneurs' access to the resources they need to grow and expand. We need to act now."

Rep. Peters and business leaders walked throughout downtown Rochester, visiting with and hearing directly from other small business owners. The first stop on the tour was a restaurant housed in a building where Representative Peters' great-grandfather, who owned a carriage repair shop in downtown Rochester, formerly lived (a photo of Peters' grandfather still hangs on the wall there). Representative Peters also formerly worked on Main Street in Rochester at a local investment company branch where he served as branch manager and helped families wisely manage their finances.

Peters will continue his tour through the remainder of the week, going door-to-door in downtown Farmington on Thursday and Birmingham on Friday.

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