Senator Stabenow Tours Small Businesses in Coldwater and Kalamazoo

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow met with business owners in Coldwater and Kalamazoo as part of her small business tour across the state. Stabenow met with business owners at Jeannie’s Diner, Lilah’s Bridal, and Tilted Tulip Florist in Coldwater before traveling to Kalamazoo to visit Bell’s Brewery.

Stabenow’s tour has included over 100 stops in communities across the state including Traverse City, Plymouth, Ann Arbor, East Tawas, Alpena, Three Rivers, Fenton, Marshall, Big Rapids, Ithaca, Mt. Pleasant, Bangor, South Haven, St. Johns, Lapeer, Imlay City, Portland, Ionia, Battle Creek, Albion, Harrison Township, Mount Clemens, Utica, Plainwell, Paw Paw, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Jackson, Flint, Bay City, Ludington, Onaway, Grand Haven, Hastings, Holland, Muskegon, Marquette, St. Ignace and Escanaba.

“Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of meeting with so many hardworking and innovative business owners in Michigan who help keep our economy growing,” said Senator Stabenow. “It was inspiring to talk with small business owners in Coldwater and Kalamazoo who have invested their own time, money and ideas into making their businesses and their community successful.”

Recently, Senator Stabenow introduced the Growing Small Businesses Act to provide a 25 percent tax credit for small businesses that are getting started or planning to grow and expand. Since the 1970s, small businesses have created 55 percent of all new jobs but scaling up is one of the most expensive hurdles for a business.  Stabenow’s legislation supports businesses that are in the process of getting off the ground, as well as businesses that have started small and want to expand from an incubator or home into their first facility.

“As a small brewery owner I am grateful to Sen. Stabenow for her support of our industry,” said Larry Bell, Owner of Bell’s Brewery. “As a co-sponsor of The Craft Beer Modernization Act, and as a strong voice for barley issues on the Senate Agriculture Committee, she has shown an understanding of the issues that affect my business.”

###