Senator Coons, two Delaware business leaders participate in roundtable discussion in Capitol on job creation
Leaders from ILC Dover and Miller Metal among those to brief senators
Jul 19, 2012 (Menafn - Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) --WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) participated in a roundtable discussion of ideas for ways of duplicating the success of innovative, job-creating American businesses in the Capitol on Wednesday. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured more than 15 companies, including Patrick Owens, president of ILC Dover, and Marty Miller, CEO of Miller Metal in Bridgeville.
"As our nation lifts itself out of this recession, we should turn for guidance to companies that are strengthening our economy and creating jobs," Senator Coons said. "These past few years have really taken its toll on Delaware's economy with the closing of several key businesses around the state; however, there are several small companies in Delaware that have been successful. I was honored to invite Patrick Owens and Marty Miller to join today's meeting and appreciate their input on how the federal government can help businesses grow. I look forward to keeping an open line of communication with them and other Delaware businesses leaders so we can work in partnership to strengthen our state's economy and get more Delawareans back to work."
The hour-long discussion focused on recent success stories from companies around the country and how they've benefited from working with the government. Mr. Miller said during the meeting that thanks to a Small Business Administration loan and assistance from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Miller Metal was able to purchase a laser cutter that was not only made in America, but helps his business increase their output while implementing lean manufacturing principles. The laser and the MEP have helped Miller Metal increase its workforce from 30 employees to 75. Mr. Owens encouraged the senators to help improve the ability of small and medium-sized businesses to commercialize new technology and take advantage of American-generated intellectual property before overseas partners did.
A member of the Budget Committee and Senate Manufacturing Caucus, Senator Coons has made job creation a top priority for his time in the Senate. Most recently, he joined on as an original cosponsored of the Bring Jobs Home Act -- legislation currently being debated on the Senate floor -- which would end taxpayer subsidies to companies that ship jobs overseas and incentivizes companies to bring jobs back to the United States.
Senator Coons has worked with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help promote job creation. In May, he joined with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in introducing the Startup Act 2.0, which is designed to promote innovation and jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses and jobs.
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Read this original document at: http://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/release/senator-coons-two-delaware-business-leaders-participate-in-roundtable-discussion-in-capitol-on-job-creation
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