CONGRESSWOMAN ANGIE CRAIG HOSTS SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE

3 Chambers (including the Apple Valley Chamber) and 3 small businesses were invited for a frank discussion about “real issues” affecting small businesses. Chamber President Ed Kearney joined by the Chambers of Burnsville and Shakopee as well as 3 small business owners held nothing back from Congresswoman Craig. Subjects ranged from small businesses having tough hurdles to master in grants complexity, SBA loans, federal taxes, mandates, access to capital, healthcare costs and changes making hiring more difficult. Some issues with workforce hiring included changing demographics, paid incentives not to rejoin the workforce, and even the difficulty of women and minorities to access small business capitol to start or expand their business. Statistically, most women-owned small businesses are one-person shops and breaking the $1 million barrier in sales is difficult. Access to Veterans rejoining the workforce and transferable skills was also looked into. So many other topics were discussed.

After the very open and honest discussions with Congresswoman Craig, she stayed after for another 30 minutes of social discussion with all of us on a more personal level. We give a high-five to the Congresswoman for reaching out to Chambers and small business to learn in person our greatest issues.