SHAHEEN HOSTS NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESSES IN WASHINGTON
Annual New Hampshire Business Day Luncheon brings together policymakers, businesses
(Washington, DC)— U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hosted nearly 200 members of the New Hampshire business community today for her 4th Annual New Hampshire Business Day Luncheon. The event gives members of the New Hampshire business community an opportunity to come to Capitol Hill and hear directly from government leaders and key congressional officials about federal programs and agencies that support, regulate, and offer research and technical assistance to businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in New Hampshire and if we help them flourish, they create jobs and grow the Granite State economy,” said Senator Shaheen, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “New Hampshire has so many small businesses and innovators and I want to do everything I can to give them the resources they need to grow and succeed. New Hampshire Businesses Day is a great opportunity to connect job creators and policy makers.”
Senator Shaheen told the audience that Senator Ayotte regretted not being able to attend this year because of her son’s kindergarten graduation. “As a mom, I think she made the right choice,” Shaheen said.
Featured speakers who addressed the New Hampshire business community included:
- Senator Jeanne Shaheen, State of New Hampshire
- Secretary John Kerry, United States Department of State
- Secretary Penny Pritzker, United States Department of Commerce
- Secretary Anthony Foxx, United States Department of Transportation
- Secretary Sally Jewell, United States Department of Interior
- Ambassador Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative
- Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, United States Small Business Administration
- Chairman Jason Furman, White House Council of Economic Advisers
- Chairman Tom Wheeler, Federal Communications Commission
“It’s great to see so many New Hampshire business leaders in Washington for the 4th annual New Hampshire Business Day Luncheon,” said Jim Roche, president of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire. “The BIA is happy to once again partner with Senator Shaheen to connect Granite State businesses with policy makers here in Washington. The decisions that come out of Washington have a direct impact on our state’s business community so collaboration and communication between leaders on both ends is so important for promoting continued economic growth in New Hampshire.”
“New Hampshire Business Day is one of the most impressive and educational events I attend all year,” said Jeff Rose, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. “Sen. Shaheen organized a terrific panel of speakers, which gives us firsthand insight into what is happening in Washington, DC and how it may affect our businesses. This is the kind of opportunity that gives us a chance to view ourselves from a national perspective and I am pleased to say that our business climate in New Hampshire is faring quite well.”
“The New Hampshire Business Day Luncheon is a great opportunity for New Hampshire business leaders to connect with policy makers in Washington and hear about programs and resources that can help their businesses grow,” said Joe Murray, Vice President, Public Affairs of Fidelity Investments. “We appreciate everything Senator Shaheen is doing in her ongoing efforts to promote New Hampshire jobs and the economy and we’re glad we were able to participate in this year’s event.”
As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Shaheen has made promoting small businesses and economic growth in New Hampshire a top priority. She has joined a Senate coalition to promote legislation that will spur the manufacturing industry and create jobs, specifically highlighting two of her own bipartisan proposals, the On-the-Job Training Act of 2013 and the Small Business Export Growth Act. For years, Shaheen has been a strong and active proponent for streamlining the outdated U.S. export control system and helped create the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program to assist small businesses looking to take advantage of emerging global market places. Last year, she helped break ground on the new Manchester Job Corps, which will train young people in New Hampshire for careers in the advanced manufacturing, construction, health care, homeland security, hospitality and information technology industries.
She has also fought to protect New Hampshire businesses from an online sales tax and last year, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee passed Shaheen’s bipartisan legislation to permanently reauthorize the SBA 504 refinance program, which supported nearly 500 loans for a total of $144 million dollars in New Hampshire in FY 2013 alone. Shaheen has also won long-term reauthorization for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) which is a program that allows more small, innovative businesses to compete for federal research and development programs.
After the New Hampshire Business Day event the New Hampshire State Society will host the 5th Annual Experience New Hampshire reception to highlight some of the Granite State’s exceptional small businesses, tourism opportunities and unique arts and crafts. Senator Shaheen will be joined by the New Hampshire congressional delegation at the event.
