Creating Jobs in our Communities by Re-empowering Small, Locally-Owned Businesses.

Micro and small businesses create 70-80% of all new jobs. These mom and pop stores, shops, and firms represent the true engines of prosperity and innovation in America.

The businesses that built this country receive little to no support and protection while the large corporations and enterprises are allowed more than their fair share. This not only gives large corporations a competitive advantage but also reduces the number of jobs small businesses can offer to the community. Small businesses and their success must become our focus in order to create more skilled job opportunities.

Here are three things we can do to help small businesses grow:

First, let Alabama offer the same tax abatements, tax credits, and infrastructure investments to our local businesses as they do for the transnational corporations and multinational firms they recruit into the state.

Second, let locally-owned small businesses benefit from a larger share of the purchasing power of the State of Alabama and its agencies to further their development.

Third, the Legislature must put a stop to the regulatory and tax loop-holes that allow out-of-state corporations to have an unfair advantage against our hometown businesses.

Every community in every state benefits from locally-owned businesses. They spend more of their earnings at home and bring in much needed tax dollars. Our money stays where we need it most … at home.

Every community in every state benefits from locally-owned businesses. They spend more of their earnings at home and bring in much needed tax dollars. Our money stays where we need it most … at home.

Because of their roots in the community, locally-owned businesses want to employ local people and they are less likely to move their labor to another country for the promise of cheaper rates or better incentives. A growing and successful local economy is not as dependent on foreign markets, making it more independent and able to withstand harsher times.

In order to grow our communities and create jobs, we must stand behind and beside our local businesses. The policies in Montgomery must be changed to make this happen, which is why I ask for your vote on November 2nd.