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Small Business
Small businesses are critical drivers of economic growth and job creation on the Central and South Coasts. I am proud to represent a congressional district with such a diverse and vibrant small business community.
From cutting edge clean energy manufacturing to beautiful cut flower farming, thriving tourism to vibrant retail – the 23rd Congressional District boasts some of the most innovative and determined small businesses around.
However, these businesses – and businesses across the country – have been hit hard by the recession. Low consumer demand and difficulty accessing credit have seriously hurt small businesses across the nation, forcing many of them to shut their doors for good.
Since the recession began, I have worked to support small business and get them the resources they need to grow and create jobs. One of the most far-reaching problems of the economic crisis has been the lack of credit available for small businesses and consumers. While the credit freeze has begun to thaw, it is an ongoing problem that is hurting small businesses and preventing them from doing what they do best – create jobs.
That is why I have voted to increase Small Business Administration (SBA) loan sizes and guarantees, and reduce or eliminate many of the fees associated with those loans. I also voted for the Small Business Jobs Act, which supports existing credit initiatives and incentivizes local banks to increase small business lending, and more than a dozen small business tax breaks and incentives.
Click here for a list of small business resources.
Winning the Future
In order to rebuild our economy to better compete in the global marketplace of the 21st century, I believe we must do more to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our competitors. The private sector is where much of these critical efforts will take place, but it can’t do it alone.
As the Representative for the 23rd Congressional District, I am fortunate to represent many innovative universities and businesses. During my time in Congress I have been proud to help these valued institutions access federal funding to help them develop innovative new technologies, create jobs and help increase economic growth.
This is why I strongly support targeted government investments in things like high-tech R&D, clean energy, education, and infrastructure that will help spawn new, innovative businesses and create quality jobs that can’t be shipped overseas. These responsible investments have the added benefit of reducing our long term deficit – a problem that must be addressed – by creating jobs and increasing economic growth, and I will continue to fight against misguided attempts to cut funding in these critical areas.