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Local business owners see fragile economic upturn
Apr 10, 2010 (Post-Bulletin - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Business owners in Austin got to talk about the economy with Rep. Tim Walz on Friday as the Mankato Democrat came through this city.
As Congress considers more economic stimulus and banking reforms, Walz is touring the 1st District to meet business owners and talk about issues.
Some local businesspeople, such as Super Fresh Produce co-owner Jim Stiles, are optimistic that the economy is on the rebound. Stiles says he's particularly glad Congress adopted health care reform.
"It opens up a huge door for small business to get back into the economy," said Stiles.
Ralph Donkers, too, has seen more business lately, thanks in part to state energy credits. He said customers used to come in and buy appliances with looks of guilt on their faces, but the situation has now changed.
"People have smiles on their faces," said Donkers, who owns Donkers TV and Appliance.
Donkers told Walz he believes the United States could compete with manufacturing in Mexico or China if it were given a level playing field.
Across the street at Medicap Pharmacy, Walz heard from pharmacists about how medication isn't just another commodity, although it can follow the free market.
Walz ended the visit with a discussion at Town Center with a group of local business owners. The main topics of concern there were the effects the federal government's fix of financial giants such as AIG could have on small community banks, since it could add another layer of regulation that might make getting credit harder, as well as Internet neutrality, a principle proposed for user access networks participating in the Internet that advocates no restrictions on content, sites or platforms.
"We've been doing this across the district with people who know what it takes to create jobs and the people who lend the money," said Walz. "This is also to get a feel for how people feel about the district: Are we moving in the right direction?"
Walz said he thinks the economic recovery is starting to take effect, but he's hearing it's pretty fragile.
He said he thinks there will be a jobs bill again this year.
"What I'm hearing is the biggest thing we can do is move a transportation bill," he said.
Congress will take a look at the issue of credit, since "massive recovery" has happened in a year while other businesses and entrepreneurs can't get their ideas off the ground because they can't get a loan. Walz said Congress needs to figure out how to fix that.
Concerns have been similar across the 1st District, said Walz.
"One thing I feel strongly in Austin is there is a concerted effort in trying to grow," he said.
Walz thinks Wall Street reforms are the next economic issue on Capitol Hill.
"Hopefully, it'll happen by May," said Walz.
To see more of the Post-Bulletin, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.postbulletin.com. Copyright (c) 2010, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
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