National Small Business Week

It's National Small Business Week. This week we celebrate and recognize the contributions of our nation's small businesses, which are the backbone of our nation.

Small Business Week Fast Facts:

There are 29 million small businesses in the United States.
99.9 percent of all businesses are small businesses.
47 percent of private sector employees work for small businesses.
46 percent of private sector output is from small businesses.
2/3 of all new jobs are created by small businesses.

This week I had the opportunity to visit local small businesses in the First District to discuss critical issues for our local job creators.

Rep. Carter visiting Harkleroad Diamonds in Savannah during Small Business Week

As a small business owner for more than thirty years, I saw firsthand the devastating impacts of government overregulation which drives my commitment to ensuring that the federal government creates policies to empower business instead of increasing burdens. Thanks to pro-growth reforms like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, according to NFIB, small businesses are the most optimistic they’ve been in more than three decades.

Because of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, small businesses can now invest more into their people, increase benefits, buy and update new equipment, and create more jobs. I will continue to fight for small businesses and hardworking Americans.

From our nation's capitol CLXI

Monday, April 30, 2018: On Saturday of this past weekend I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Independent Pharmacy Conference (IPC) on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. IPC is the largest group purchasing organization in the U.S. for independent pharmacies, representing over 4,500 pharmacy members. Yesterday, I joined the Friends of Coastal Gardens at their annual meeting at the Botanical Gardens in Savannah as they dedicated the annex building in honor of Mr. Frank Williams, affectionately known as “Mr. Bamboo,” who began working at the Historic Bamboo Farm on January 1, 1987, and continues his great work today.

Rep. Carter at G-Force Manufacturing

This morning I’m at G-Force Manufacturing in Pooler where I tour the facility and meet with the many fine associates they have working here. Founded in 1989, G-Force Manufacturing is a collaboration between Goodwill Southeast Georgia and Gulfstream Aerospace that provides employment opportunities to individuals served by Goodwill training programs. Next, I head to my Savannah district office for a series of meetings with constituents beginning with Harold Oglesby who is a member of the 100 Black Men of Savannah, a group committed to empowering Savannah’s young people to become self-sufficient in the economic and social fabric of their communities. My next meeting is with David and Erika Cleland to discuss concerns with international adoption, followed by a meeting with David Rubnitz, who is a member of our health care advisory council, to discuss health care concerns. My final meeting is with Russell Kent, Spud Woodward and David Ball to discuss the proposed Spaceport project in Camden County, after which I head to WSAV studios in Savannah where I meet with General Manager Marc Hefner and tour the facility before being interviewed to discuss a number of different issues.

Rep. Carter with the Cleland family

Afterwards, I head to Harkleroad Diamonds, one of the many fine small businesses in our district, where I meet with Caleb Harkleroad and his staff as well as members of the Buy Local group to discuss the importance of small businesses in our district. This week is Small Business Week and I will be visiting small businesses throughout our district to thank them for their work in our community. My final visit of the day is with members of a joint task force in Savannah who will receive an honorable mention TOP COP award given by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) for their work in arresting 24 gang members and confiscating their illicit drugs and firearms. Since the police apprehended these individuals, crime has sharply decreased in the Cann Park area of Savannah - a 40% drop in violent crimes and a 75% drop in aggravated assaults with guns.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018: I’m honored this morning to be the keynote speaker at the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) conference being held in Savannah. The AAFA is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear, travel goods, and other sewn products companies and their suppliers.

Rep. Carter participating in the Opioid Awareness Action Panel

Afterwards, I head to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynn County where I participate in the Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony that includes a roll call of the federal law enforcement officers that are FLETC graduates as well as area Georgia state and local officers from the Brunswick area who died in the line of duty. After a meeting with my good friend Roy Hodnett on St. Simons Island, I head to Rabbiteye Winery and Market in downtown Brunswick where I meet with Aaron and Rusty Bell of Bell Farms to learn more of their small business as part of Small Business Week. Then I have a great interview with Jeremey Spencer from Camden County where we covered a gamut of issues impacting the First District. Next I head to Richmond Hill where I participate in an Opioid Awareness Action Panel to discuss the opioid epidemic and the local response to this nationwide issue. Sponsored by the Bryan County Opioid Prevention Project, this expert panel covers an array of issues dealing with the opioid epidemic and the event is well attended by the public. A few links to local news coverage of the event can be found here and here.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018: I’m in Folkston in Charlton County bright and early this morning as I am touring the D. Ray James Correctional Institution, a contract prison facility operated in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. Marshals Service. This minimum security facility houses illegal immigrant male inmates who have committed felonies while in the United States and has an array of vocational programs available to help the inmates learn a trade while incarcerated before they are deported back to their home countries.

Rep. Carter at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Afterwards, I head to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge where Russell Barber, President of the Okefenokee Wildlife League and Refuge Manager Michael Lusk take me out on a motorboat for a few hours to check on some canoe trails and camping platforms while they do some routine cleaning. Established in 1937 as a “refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife,” the refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area and is one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems. This beautiful natural wonder is home to more than 600 plant species that have been identified on refuge lands and has been identified as a Wetland of International Importance. After this great experience, I head to Homerville in Clinch County where I meet with constituents to discuss issues of importance to the area.

Thursday, May 3, 2018: I start off in Liberty County this morning where I stop by Angie’s Diner in Midway and visit with Angela and Kevin Butler and their staff as part of Small Business Week. As is the case with most breakfast restaurants, Angie’s has a regular group of retirees who patronize the establishment and they eagerly share with me their views of world affairs- and I eagerly listen to them.

Rep. Carter visits Angie's Diner during Small Business Week

My next stop is Hinesville where I visit Molly Maxine Boutique and owner Rhonda Thomas. Located in the downtown area, I am joined by members of the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority as well as Mayor Allen Brown and other dignitaries. Like most small businesses, Molly Maxine Boutique feels the effect of “Big Box” stores moving to town as well as on-line retailers but continues to thrive through the customer service that small businesses are famous for. Afterwards, I head to Waycross in Ware County where I am honored to be the guest speaker this week at the Waycross Exchange Club. I was invited and am introduced by my good friend, long time Waycross resident Burton Carter.

Friday, May 4, 2018: I consider it an honor and privilege to be the voice of the citizens of the First Congressional District of Georgia in Washington, D.C., and I take this responsibility very seriously.

Rep. Carter at the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

In addition to traveling the district and meeting with citizens when I am at home, I have a group of volunteers from different sectors who I meet with routinely to keep me up with issues impacting their areas of expertise. Today, I spend my day at Armstrong State University in Savannah meeting with those different councils including Business, Health Care, Veterans, Community Banking, Transportation and Agriculture Councils. While at Armstrong, I also have the honor of meeting with nine ROTC cadets who are commissioned to lieutenants in the Army today. Armstrong has one of the finest ROTC programs in the State of Georgia and I am glad the program will continue at Georgia Southern University next year. My last stop of a very busy week is at the Amtrak station in Savannah where I meet Nelson McGahee and his wife, Borden Black, who run the Dearing Railroad LLC, a renovated 1925 luxury railcar that travels with Amtrak trains and can be rented for trips across the country.