Senator Stabenow Tours Small Businesses in Detroit and Pontiac

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow met with business owners in Detroit and Pontiac as part of her small business tour across the state. Stabenow met with business owners at La Feria, Textures By Nefertiti, and Source Booksellers in Detroit before traveling to Pontiac to visit Slows Bar BQ, Unity Barber Shop & Beauty Salon, Buckner’s A Dessert Café, and Fillmore 13 Brewery. During her visit to Pontiac, Stabenow was joined by Mayor Deirdre Waterman, City Council President Patrice Waterman, Councilmembers Randy Carter and Kermit Williams, and Pontiac School Board President Brenda Carter. The Senator also visited Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts while in Pontiac.

Stabenow’s tour has included over 125 stops in communities across the state including Indian Village, West Village, Munising, Eaton Rapids, Coldwater, Kalamazoo, 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, Escanaba and Newberry.

“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 Detroit and Pontiac 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.

“We were delighted and excited for the opportunity to have Senator Stabenow visit Source Booksellers,” said Janet Webster Jones, Owner of Source Booksellers. “Having public officials and business owners meet along with customers and staff certainly made the day. Last weekend we took part in the Michigan Retailers Association ‘I Buy Nearby Weekend’ and its work to address issues plaguing Main streets across the country. Senator Stabenow seemed to be so pleased to be in the neighborhood interacting with local businesses.  She remarked that small businesses and local bookstores are the backbone of communities.”

"We really appreciate Senator Stabenow taking the time to meet and lunch with us at La Feria Spanish Tapas, learning our story and talking about challenges and future opportunities,” said Elias Khalil, Co-Owner of La Feria Spanish Tapas. “An effective public servant is one who leaves her office and has quality interactions with her constituents; Senator Stabenow is certainly an exemplary servant to appreciate and emulate."

“We are excited to have Senator Stabenow tour the Flagstar Strand Theatre last week,” said Kyle J. Westberg, President of the Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts.  “She showed great appreciation to the historical elegance of the Theatre as we discussed its rich history in Pontiac.  She was excited to hear about the upcoming shows and was hoping to fit one into her schedule, so hopefully she will return soon to experience some great entertainment.”

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