As part of his continuing efforts to keep connected with the concerns of small businesses, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today announced that he will embark on a multi-stop Show-Me Small Business Jobs tour to meet and talk with small business people throughout the 9^thDistrict.

The tour begins Wednesday, August 11, and runs through Friday, August 13, in Novelty, Kirksville, Pacific and Lake Ozark. The complete schedule is below.

“Small businesses are the economic engine that provides growth and creates jobs.  Unfortunately, that engine is running on empty because of the harmful initiatives in Washington that are making it tough for folks back home in Missouri to have the confidence they need to expand operations, hire new workers or offer competitive wages,” Luetkemeyer said. “This tour is critical because, as their voice in Washington, small business owners need certainty to succeed. Instead of holding our entrepreneurs back, we must work together to provide our small businesses with the tools they need to prosper, and I have been working in Washington to do just that.”

Luetkemeyer has supported numerous pieces of legislation to strengthen our small businesses, including the  Small Business Liability Reform Act of 2010, which would limit liability costs to small businesses by reforming the litigation process and reducing insurance costs to small business owners. He also backs the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, which would provide relief to small business owners who would otherwise face a great tax reporting burden under the recently enacted health care bill. Additionally, Luetkemeyer sponsored and the House-passed legislation to make the SBA’s programs more responsive to the needs of our small businesses, including the Expanding Entrepreneurship Act of 2009 and theSmall Business Investment Company Modernization and Improvement Act of 2009, part of the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009.

Luetkemeyer is a member of the House Small Business Committee and serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade. Earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized Luetkemeyer for his efforts in Congress on behalf of businesses that create jobs and spur economic growth with the Spirit of Enterprise Award.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11

Novelty

Cardwell Lumber

Highway 15 North, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Kirksville

Kirksville Rotary Club

Church of the Nazarene, 2302 North Lincoln Street, Noon-1 p.m.

Business Roundtable

Kirksville Chamber of Commerce

304 South Franklin Street, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12

Pacific

Business Roundtable and Tour of Baker’s Ice

2120 Ice Street,  10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

Lake Ozark

National Tooling and Machining Association Convention

Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort

315 Four Seasons Drive, 7:15 p.m.

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