Celebrating veterans & small businesses

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, today released the following statement recognizing the week of November 2-6 as National Veterans Small Business Week:

“America’s service members are leaders on the frontlines of battle and in their communities back home. The skills, motivation and training these men and women develop through their military service make them some of the most successful entrepreneurs in our country. Starting and growing a business requires dedication, focus, and follow through – qualities Michigan’s service members and veterans have demonstrated in some of the most trying circumstances.

“With nearly 66,000 veteran-owned small businesses in our state, National Veterans Small Business Week is a time to recognize the significant contributions of veterans and their businesses in strengthening both our economy and national security.”

Peters is a cosponsor of the Senate resolution recognizing National Veterans Small Business Week. Click HERE to view the resolution.

Earlier this year, Peters introduced bipartisan legislation with Republican Senator Joni Ernst (IA), a Lt. Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, to extend for five years a tax credit for small businesses that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve on active duty. Additionally, Peters cosponsored the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act, legislation that would make it easier for veteran-owned businesses to access credit by making permanent a temporary fee waiver for the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Express Loans for veterans. The legislation also requires the SBA to review existing programs that support veterans, women veterans, reservists, and National Guard members before and after deployment.

(Information Courtesy of U.S. Senator Gary Peters)