Advisory Board Will Help Small Business

    I am thrilled to represent California’s 11^th district in the U.S. Congress. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about some of what has happened recently both in Washington and here at home related to small business.

Recently, I created and met with a Small Business Advisory Board, made up of local small businesspeople, economic development officers and education experts. The Small Business Advisory Board will help keep me up to date on the issues affecting small businesses throughout the 11^th district.

I plan to meet with the Small Business Advisory Board several times a year. In addition, my staff will have frequent contact with the Advisory Board as issues and legislation arise here in Congress for feedback and development.

Additionally, I have established an Economic Development Taskforce to assist businesses that are interested in locating or expanding in California’s 11^th District. I believe that San Joaquin County is well-positioned to benefit from job creation through new energy technology exploration and manufacturing.

My own experience as a small business owner taught me all too well the challenges in starting and operating a small business. I believe it is imperative that we do all we can to encourage small business growth and expansion. As you all well know, as our small businesses grow stronger, so do the communities in which they reside and the workers they employ.

I was proud to support both the Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2007 as well as the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007. Both of these were steps in the right direction in encouraging the growth of small businesses.

If there is anything I or my staff can do, please do not hesitate to contact one of my local offices. My Stockton office can be reached at 209-476-8552 and my Pleasanton office can be reached at 925-737-0727.

I look forward to working with you.

Jerry McNerney,

Member of Congress