MINNEAPOLIS SMALL BUSINESS TELLS EVANS THAT ECONOMIC FORECAST IS BRIGHTER BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT’S ECONOMIC PLAN

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, calling the President’s economic plan “exactly the right plan at the right time” tapped into his 20 years of experience in the private sector today as he discussed the plan’s benefits with the employees of a small business. Evans and U.S. Reps. Jim Ramstad (MN-3) and Mark Kennedy (MN-6) paid a visit to Creative Carton, a manufacturer and designer of corrugated boxes, to highlight the elements of President Bush’s plan that target small businesses for economic growth and job creation. Evans pointed out that small businesses are responsible for 70% of new jobs in America, they stand at the heart of the President’s plan to grow the economy and create new jobs for the American people.

Following his meeting with Evans, Ramstad and Kennedy, Mike Sime CEO of Creative Carton, expressed his support for the President’s plan. Sime said the plan would increase the amount that he can write-off of his taxes for new equipment purchases and would allow him to hire additional people to operate the new machinery.

“Small businesses are the engine that drive the American economy and are at the heart of the President’s plan to grow this economy and create new, better paying jobs for the American people,” said Evans. “By lowering taxes, the President’s plan gives small businesses the tools they need to purchase new equipment, hire new employees and grow the economy this year and many years into the future.”

“The President has proposed a bold, balanced and fair plan to grow the economy and create 2.1 million new jobs,” said Ramstad. “The President’s economic growth plan is good for Minnesota taxpayers, jobs, families and unemployed workers.”

“The President's plan will create jobs and strengthen our economy by reducing taxes now for small businesses and families, not in four or five years,” said Kennedy.

As they toured the facility, Evans, Ramstad and Kennedy discussed the tax cuts individuals would receive under the plan with Creative Carton employees. Evans told them that 92 million Americans would receive an average of $1,083 in 2003 with more to come in the years ahead. Evans went on to say that under Bush’s plan, 46 million couples would receive an average of $1,716 and 34 million families with children would receive an average tax cut of $1,473.

While in Minneapolis, Evans announced a total of $1.5 million in federal funds for Minnesota to grow their local economy, attract investments, create jobs and help displaced workers find jobs as a result of plant closures. The investments will be distributed to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, St. Cloud, Bemidji and Staples, Mich. The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration provided the funds.

Evans’ visit to Minneapolis is the third stop of a two-day, three-state tour designed to take the President’s plan directly to the people that it benefits the most; small business owners and the people they employ. Yesterday, Evans met with small businesses in Traverse City and Lansing, Mich. to discuss how the President’s plan would add to their bottom line. On Friday afternoon, Evans will make his last stop in Milwaukee, Wis.