Donohue: ‘Small Businesses are the backbone of our free market economy.’
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today welcomed National Small Business Week, and reinforced its support for the 28 million American small businesses that make big contributions to the nation’s economy and their local communities.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our free market economy. It’s these risk-takers and dreamers that spur growth, create jobs, and expand opportunities,” said Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO. “I commend Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon for crisscrossing the country this week to connect with our outstanding entrepreneurs. I have been on the road this year meeting with and listening to small business owners about their ideas to get the economy growing faster. And I’ll keep bringing those Main Street voices back to Washington to advocate for pro-growth policies.”
The U.S. Chamber’s #LetsGrow Tour was announced during Donohue’s annual State of American Business address in January of this year and included stops in Chicago, Phoenix, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, and Detroit. The events featured conversations with elected officials, policy leaders, and business owners to learn about growth in their states and discuss opportunities at the federal level.
“Our leaders must improve the climate for startups and small businesses,” added Maxine Turner, chair of the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Council and founder of Utah-based Cuisine Unlimited. “I’m excited to continue working with the U.S. Chamber, and the Small Business Administration, to make sure Washington is working for the millions of small companies like mine that just want to prosper and contribute to our communities and the broader national and international economy.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber announced a new multiyear collaboration with MetLife to elevate the voice of America’s small business owners and highlight the important role they play in the nation’s economy. The initiative will produce a quarterly small business research index; a five-event Small Business Series that will present information that helps businesses save money, save time, and foster growth; and the annual, expanded DREAM BIG Small Business Awards program, which celebrates some of the country’s top entrepreneurs.
For more information about these and many other small business initiatives at the U.S. Chamber, please visit www.uschamber.com/members/small-business.
