Ypsilanti, MI - Today, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) hosted a seminar for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Michigan’s 15th Congressional District at Eastern Michigan University.

Representatives from local business organizations and Federal and State agencies discussed programs, grants, loans, contracts, tax credits, and counseling on how to help small businesses succeed and create jobs.  Over 100 small business owners received free advice on new ways to market and manage their business, get access to credit and capital, and contract with the federal government.  The large number of attendees also provided participants with an opportunity to network and make new connections with one another.

After the event, Congressman Dingell stated, “Attendees of today’s seminar gained invaluable knowledge on the wealth of resources available to them at all levels of government. It was a delight to interact with these hard working individuals. I have long maintained that small businesses are the engines of America’s economic growth, and I believe that the entrepreneurs of Michigan’s 15th Congressional District are in a good position to grow their businesses, create jobs, and continue to lead our economy in the right direction.”

Organizations in attendance included the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation & the Defense Contract Coordination Center, the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and Ann Arbor SPARK.

Participants also heard about the ways government agencies and businesses are working together to promote economic growth in Michigan.  Congressman Dingell has consistently fought for legislation that supports small businesses, including initiatives in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help small businesses get access to capital, the Manufacturing Modernization and Diversification Act, which will make it easier for private banks to loan money to small manufacturers, and provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that will give small businesses tax credits and provide access to the same quality plans that large firms enjoy.  For more information on how Congressman Dingell and the 111th Congress have worked to support small businesses, see Congressman Dingell’s website.

Congressman Dingell has hosted numerous events to promote job creation, including the Rehiring, Retraining and Relief Fair, two How to Get Hired Fairs, and a Job Seekers’ Boot Camp. 

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