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Michael promoting small business interests

Thursday, January 29, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- State Rep. Nancy Michael (D-Greencastle) convinced the Indiana House Small Business and Economic Development Committee of the need for a state office that would work exclusively for the advancement of small businesses in Indiana's local communities.

The committee voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 1697, a measure authored by Michael that would require the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to establish the Office of Small Business Advancement. The office would serve as a resource for small, entrepreneurial businesses that are looking for ways to cut costs and remain fiscally solvent during tough economic times. Small businesses could also use the office to determine if they are eligible for state or federal assistance programs.

The office would be specifically designed to assist offices that employ between 2-100 workers. Michael said that in small rural districts like hers, these businesses become the backbone of their communities.

"Small businesses play a critical role in the economic vitality of our state. These are the businesses that support our children's soccer teams, donate to charities and embrace a sense of civic responsibility," Michael said.

"At a time when our state's unemployment rate has hit 8.2 percent, we must be proactive in job creation and retention. Advancing the interest of Indiana's small businesses will help to achieve that goal," the lawmaker continued. "This bill sends a signal that we are preparing the state's small businesses to weather tough economic times."

House Bill 1697 will now proceed to the House floor for consideration.

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  • More government, now? How much will that cost us? I would be more impressed with a reduction of State spending, not more.

    -- Posted by davgreencastle on Thu, Jan 29, 2009, at 8:39 AM

  • I like the idea. We've seen an era of corporate atrocities like Wal-Mart spread out and purposely take losses at certain locations to drive smaller businesses into the ground.

    Corporate America has been literally "getting away with murder" under the last Republican reign. They've thanked us for their legislated priveleges by slashing jobs, wages and benefit packages, not from actual losses but because they didn't make expected profits. They've outsourced and replaced many of the remaining positions with an illegal workforce. They've systematically driven down American wages and eliminated workers. Our supposed leaders in government and the boardmembers of these corporate institutions are so insulated from the working class, the consumers, that they didn't have the horse sense to realize that Mexicans don't shop at J.C. Penny's, they send their money back home. The reasonable wages that used to be earned and spent in the U.S. have been reduced and Western Unioned to other countries.

    The quality of goods and services have also deteriorated from it. Yes, they were cheaper for a while, not "less expensive" or "more affordable", merely cheaper. The prices are now going back up due to a lack of competition and the present economic emergency while the quality has gone down the toilet.

    When a local personality becomes a merchant, they have a certain integrity to live up to, not just a big yellow smiley face.

    An office to assist small businesses is a great idea but restrictive legislation against the corporate giants and incentives for the little guys are necessary as well.

    -- Posted by westforty on Thu, Jan 29, 2009, at 10:11 AM

  • We need to support small business in this community.I have been very pleased with the quality of clothing I have purchased at Peeples-Shoe Sensations and I love a new restaurant we have here in Greencastle-Chief's. Wonderful menu and the food is great for finer dining experience. I love these new businesses. The envirments and service is excellent.I also love having a Sears store.If I want good quality appliances I don't have to run to Plainfield or Avon.Walmart isn't the only option we have anymore. These businesses need not only community support but, state support.

    -- Posted by peace2019 on Thu, Jan 29, 2009, at 7:16 PM
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