Paul NelsonChannel 2 News
Visiting several new Reno businesses, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, stressed the importance of the role they play in re-energizing Nevada's economy, saying 96% of all employees, in the Silver State work for small businesses.
"They're very excited about the future of Reno and our economy," Berkley said. "They need the economy to improve so that their businesses will improve and they can hire people."
The Congresswoman says her focus is to make sure small businesses have the capabilities to get off the ground and grow.
"I think small businesses know that I'm with them," Berkley said. "I'm helping to provide resources, creating tax breaks and incentives so that our small businesses can flourish and people can get back to work."
While visiting Penny's Midtown Mercantile, Berkley bought a Mickey Mouse watch. She also asked store owner Penny Beck what some of her challenges are.
"I haven't really investigated her fully but from what I can see, just meeting her, today, I just got a real warm, sincere feeling from her," Beck said. "She's not a bunch of bologna."
Berkley's next stop was Wedge-A Cheese Shop. It's a new business in the process of opening.
Then it was on to 720 Tahoe Street, where Tourine Johnstone and her husband own a photography studio. She says the toughest thing for a small business with 5 full-time employees is there are no breaks or consideration for growing.
"Worker's comp, taxes, just all the things that go along with that come into play and you're wondering 'How am I going to pay? How am I going to keep these responsibilities and still grow?'" Johnstone said.
Not only is Nevada worst in unemployment, but we also still top the nation in home foreclosures. Berkley says if she is elected, she will continue to help fix the housing crisis, encouraging banks to do loan modifications for troubled homeowners.
"I have staff working, day and night, to help keep people in their homes and to put the banking industry on notice that they have to follow the law and they have to cooperate with the home owners," Berkley said.
Berkley also says she wants to end subsidies for large corporations and oil companies and put more resources into solar and geothermal energy, hoping to put more people to work here in Nevada.
