LANSING 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. Rep. Mike Rogers (MI-8) paid a visit to Quality Dairy Company, a local bakery, to highlight the elements of President Bush’s plan that target small businesses for economic growth and job creation. Evans pointed out that 50 percent of Michigan’s workers are employed by small businesses, and said that because small businesses are responsible for 70 percent 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.

“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.”

“Small businesses, many just like Lansing-based Quality Dairy Company, employ roughly 70 percent of all American workers,” Rogers said. “We need more of these businesses to open, expand, and hire new workers. That's how we grow our economy and ensure all families a future in which they can provide for themselves and their children.

“Secretary Evans' visit to Lansing today highlights the commitment and contribution smaller job providers make to a community and employees, and underscores the importance of President Bush's plan to help our economy recover through jobs creation and small business expansion.”

As they toured the facility, Evans and Rogers discussed the tax cuts individuals would receive under the plan with Quality Dairy Company 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 Lansing, Mich., Evans announced a total of $216,000 in federal funds for Michigan to grow its economy, attract investments and create higher paying jobs for local citizens. The investments will be distributed to Planning and Regional Development Commissions in Houghton, Benton Harbor, Muskegon, and Grand Rapids, Mich. The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration provided the funds.

Evans’ visit here is the second 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. Evans will visit small businesses in Traverse City, Mich., Minneapolis, Minn. and Milwaukee, Wis. to hear how the President’s plan will add to their bottom line.