Conference brought small businesses together in northern Wisconsin

8/19/2011

Small business owners in northern Wisconsin have an ally in their region's congressman. Republican Sean Duffy arranged for a conference at the University of Wisconsin's Superior campus in the northwest corner of the state, meant to educate small business owners on dealing with local and federal government organizations and regulations, realizing commercial funding to create jobs, understanding international business policies and connecting with Native American tribes.

"I travel this district, and I see people are struggling," said Duffy, as reported on WDIO News.

Several northern Wisconsin counties have higher unemployment rates than the state's overall 7.8 percent. Small business is a driving force for employment and job creation, with more than half of the nation's private sector workforce employed by small firms. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 64 percent of new jobs were created by small businesses in the last 15 years.

The SBA participated in Thursday's event at the university by sending Eric Ness, the organization's district director. As a guest speaker, he highlighted the SBA's role in fostering small business lending and spoke of the importance of community banks.

"They’re the lifeblood of making sure economic activity takes place," he told the Superior Telegram.