Senator Stabenow Tours Small Businesses in Midland

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow met with business owners in Midland as part of her small business tour across the state. Stabenow met with business owners at Live Oak Coffeehouse, Coyer Candle Co., and Heather ‘n Holly.

Stabenow’s tour has included over 110 stops in communities across the state including 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 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 Midland 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 feel so blessed and honored to have had Senator Stabenow and her staff choose Heather ‘n Holly as a stop on the Senator's Small Business Tour,” said Heather Mickam, Manager of Heather ‘n Holly. “The Senator was so focused, attentive and sincerely interested in our business and what our shop has to offer. We were so pleased to have her visit us and so delighted when she asked us to let her know if we needed anything."

“Senator Stabenow was very interested in knowing about our company, loves Michigan and was a very kind person; we are happy to have met her!” said Lisa Coyer, Owner of Coyer Candle Co.

“It meant a lot to us that Senator Stabenow would take the time out of her busy schedule to come check out our business and meet our little community of employees and guests who are the reason we love what we do!” said Renee' Deckrow, Owner of Live Oak Coffeehouse. “We have put our heart and soul into making this dream a reality; the journey has been full of both challenge and joy. Even in the growth stage, the joys have outweighed the challenges.  It was fun to have the opportunity to share a little of both with Senator Stabenow and to feel her genuine interest.

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