Month: July 2015

For many Soldiers, the Europe-wide Operation Atlantic Resolve may appear to be merely a composition of combined training and exercises held between the U.S. and NATO allies. Read more here:: NATO, Operation Atlantic Resolve: The art of assurance and deterrence Bookmark It Hide...

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters introduced the Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2015, which will reauthorize and improve the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to help Michigan small businesses grow and create jobs. The legislation builds on the successful SSBCI initiative that both lawmakers championed in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. SSBCI funds the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state-led lending programs that leverage private financing to help small businesses access the capital they need. Senators Stabenow and Peters announced the Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2015 during a press conference with Tammy Tedesco, owner of the Detroit catering company Edibles Rex. Thanks to SSBCI, Tammy was able to secure a $1.8 million small business loan in 2013 to expand operations and hire new employees. She plans to open a second location in the vacant Cattleman’s building in Detroit’s Eastern Market district next summer. ‘Small businesses create the majority of new jobs, and when small business owners like Tammy can access capital, they can expand their businesses and keep the economy growing,’ Senator Stabenow said. ‘I’m pleased to be joining Senator Peters to build on this successful program that has helped Michigan small businesses and manufacturers succeed.’ ‘There are over 856,000 small businesses in Michigan alone, and it is vital that they have the resources needed to compete, expand,...

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the Small Business Access to Capital Act, which will reauthorize and improve the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to help small businesses grow and create jobs. The legislation builds on the successful SSBCI initiative created in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which has made over $1 billion available to help small businesses across the country access capital. For years, Senators Stabenow, Shaheen, and Peters have led the fight to make sure small businesses have access to opportunities that lead to a stronger economy. ‘Small businesses create the majority of new jobs, and when small business owners can access capital, they can expand their businesses and keep the economy growing,’ Senator Stabenow said. ‘I’m so pleased to be joining with Senators Shaheen and Peters to build on this successful program that has helped hundreds of small businesses and manufacturers get off the ground or expand.’ ‘Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and increasing their access to capital allows them to grow and create jobs.’ said Senator Shaheen. ‘This bill strengthens a program that has a proven track record of helping small businesses leverage modest federal funding for much larger investments of private capital.’ ‘Small businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and ensuring they have access to the capital they need to...

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $3,345,654 for the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation and will help the airport rehabilitate its runway, extend its taxiway, install taxiway lighting, and rehabilitate the concrete of its apron, which is the area of an airport where aircraft are parked. ‘This investment will make travelling to and from West Michigan safer and more efficient,’ said Stabenow. ‘By supporting the Kalamazoo Airport, we’re also encouraging businesses to invest in the region and create jobs.’ ‘Upgrading Michigan’s transportation infrastructure is critical to creating jobs and expanding growth in our state,’ Peters said. ‘This federal funding for the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport will invest in important improvements that will encourage travel and bolster economic development in the region.’ More information on the Department of Transportation Grant program can be found at http://www.dot.gov/grants. Read more here:: Senators Stabenow, Peters Announce $3.3 Million for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport Bookmark It Hide...

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Senators and Committee members Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) today called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to encourage states, businesses, universities, and organizations to work together to help improve water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin. These partnerships will help stop another algae bloom – like the one contaminated drinking water in Southeast Michigan last summer – from forming and expanding in Lake Erie. Just last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found evidence of a bloom near the Lake Erie Islands, which are about 40 miles off Michigan’s coast. The letter reads in part: ‘In order to address these important issues, we must take comprehensive actions now that fully engage all stakeholders. We recognize that reducing the frequency and magnitude of harmful algal blooms is long-term problem that requires a long-term solution, but that does not reduce the urgency of taking aggressive action in the near-term. No group understands the importance of water and soil more than our nation’s farmers and producers. While there is no silver bullet that will resolve this crisis, we know that working together and sharing knowledge will help develop broad strategies capable of making a large impact on the quality of our water.’ Senator Stabenow has supported programs and research across...