Senator Stabenow Tours Small Businesses Across Upper Peninsula

Stabenow Continues Focus on Business at Mackinac Policy Conference

Wednesday, June 01, 2016

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow met with business owners at local small businesses during a two-day trip across the Upper Peninsula. During the visits, Stabenow heard from manufacturers, a jewelry maker, retailers and other entrepreneurs. 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.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy and create the majority of new jobs, and nowhere is this more evident than in the UP,” said Senator Stabenow. “I am always inspired when I can see the Yooper work ethic, creativity and resilience first hand.”

Senator Stabenow toured Delta Manufacturing in Escanaba; Cretens Furniture in Perkins; Beth Millner Jewelry, The Flying Moose, Revisions Design Studio and Donckers in Marquette; and Java Joe’s Café and The Voyageur Trading Post in St Ignace.

“We are pleased to have Senator Stabenow visit Marquette and see our vibrant downtown businesses, including our shop,” said Beth Millner, the owner of Beth Millner Jewelry. “Senator Stabenow is touring four businesses that provide locally made products and services and we think it is great to show support for the Marquette economy and Michigan as a whole.”

“It was great to speak with Senator Stabenow as she discussed work she is doing to keep the forestry industry and the Upper Peninsula economy thriving,” said Jennifer Cretens, owner of Cretens Furniture. “We hope to have her back soon.”

“We care so deeply about our customers,” said Jeremy Poch, owner of The Flying Moose. It was so exciting to have the Senator come our store and speak with some of our wonderful patrons.”

“I am glad to welcome Senator Stabenow to the Voyageur Trading Post; we value her support of small businesses,” said Alan Turf, owner and operator of the Voyageur Trading Post. “We have come to realize that there is so much creativity in the state of Michigan that we appreciate the Senator's recognition of the many talented artists whose work we proudly display in the gallery.”

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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