Senator Stabenow Continues Small Business Tour Across Upper Peninsula

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow continued her Michigan small business tour in the Upper Peninsula last weekend. At a breakfast hosted by the Marquette Economic Club and Marquette-Lake Superior Community Partnership, Senator Stabenow gave the keynote address and then continued her tour by meeting with local small businesses. Senator Stabenow toured L’Anse Manufacturing, The Hilltop Restaurant, NECi Superior Enzymes in Lake Linden and Vollwerth & Company in Hancock.

Senator Stabenow kicked off her Michigan small business tour in the Upper Peninsula last summer. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Michigan’s small businesses employed over half, or 1.8 million, of the state’s private workforce in 2012.

“Hearing and seeing first-hand the wonderful work ethic in the UP truly inspires me,” said Senator Stabenow. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and create the majority of new jobs. You cannot visit the UP without seeing its vital role in Michigan's economy.”

“It’s not about Republican or Democrat. It’s about the job to represent everyone in the state. L’Anse is not Detroit or Lansing, our county has 8,000 people. But today my crew got an audience with her just like the others,” said Mark Massicotte, President of L’Anse Manufacturing. “We were able to share some of the great happenings in our company and community with the Senator, and that speaks volumes.”

“NECi Superior Enzymes is honored and thrilled to host Senator Stabenow on her Small Business Tour of the Keweenaw.  NECi focuses on clean water, fertile soil and serious science.  The Senator's record shows her to be a strong supporter of all three,” said Ellen Campbell, CEO of NECi Superior Enzymes. “When funds for our Small Business Innovation Research program were in jeopardy, Senator Stabenow helped to release our funds. We appreciate her help, that she cares and her support for small businesses and the USDA SBIR program.”

“It’s great that Senator Stabenow makes time to visit U.P. businesses.  It really shows that she is out there working for us,” said Adam Manderfield, President and General Manager of Vollwerth & Company. “We really enjoyed discussing our 102 years of history and business with her.”

Senator Stabenow has been a strong advocate for small businesses, cutting taxes and increasing access to capital for entrepreneurs to help them expand and create jobs. As a senior member of the Finance committee, Senator Stabenow led the effort last year to extend important tax cuts for manufacturers, startups, and other small businesses. She introduced the Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2015 to help small businesses access the capital they need to grow and create jobs. As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, she has strongly advocated for small business support through USDA’s Rural Development program. She recently introduced the Timber Innovation Act that helps accelerate research and development to drive a new market for forest products.

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