Van Hollen Meets with Small Business Leaders in Prince George's County

Press Release

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen met with over 50 leaders in Prince George's County as part of a Small Business Listening Session at the Community Center and Town Hall in Colmar Manor. The event was an opportunity for Congressman Van Hollen, along with officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Maryland Small Business Development Center, to learn firsthand about the challenges facing local entrepreneurs and to connect businesses with necessary guidance, assistance, and support.

"Small business owners in Maryland and across the country are the backbone of our recovery," said Congressman Van Hollen. "They serve as a major source of employment opportunity and as a vital catalyst for economic growth. As we continue to work to rebuild our economy, their determined efforts to expand their businesses, strengthen our communities, and put Americans back to work are more important than ever."

"Congressman Van Hollen continues to be one of the most outspoken and dedicated champions for small business -- throughout Maryland and the nation. He has tirelessly supported small, veteran, woman-owned, and minority business initiatives. This listening session is indicative of his desire to genuinely understand the concerns of small business and help us create a real path to business and economic growth," said Michael Bowlds, President of Mountaintop Marketing Group, LLC.

"As a Maryland businessperson, I'm very appreciative of Congressman Van Hollen's continuing focus on job retention and creation. It is a national and human tragedy that 15 million Americans are out of work. I continually hear from my children how difficult it is to find employment. Without producing significantly more jobs than we currently are there is no real recovery. Congressman Van Hollen is helping to lead the way to greater opportunity and prosperity for all," said Rufus Lusk, a partner in the Port Towns Shopping Center at Colmar Manor, which just had a totally rebuilt IHOP open last week, providing 40 new jobs.

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