ICYMI: Graves, Torpey tour business incubator

Graves, Torpey tour business incubator

By Jeff Fox
The Examiner
August 28, 2013

Independence, Mo. — Two legislators keenly interested in the fate of small businesses on Tuesday toured the business incubator in Independence, the Independence Ennovation Center.

"This is one of those tours that I just absolutely love," said Congressman Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, whose district includes parts of Independence.

Also on the tour was state Rep. Noel Torpey, R-Independence.

The Ennovation Center has attracted a variety of start-up food companies, and it's geared up for biomedical companies as well.

"As we all know, small business if the backbone of the economy. In Missouri, it makes up 70 percent of all jobs," Torpey said.

In Jefferson City, Torpey is chairman of the House Small Business Committee, and Graves has the same job in the U.S. House.

"Sometimes we forget, but we are really blessed to have the small business chairman here in Missouri," Torpey said.

Graves said when Congress reconvenes next month, there will be an effort to rein in new federal regulations that are costly for business owners to implement. That year was "the worst year for regulations," with 3,800 new rules coming on the books.

"It isn't done through Congress. It's done through bureaucratic rule-making authority," he said.

He also said he thinks there's a good chance this fall of passing legislation to consolidate various federal programs to help companies that want to get into exporting.

Echoing Torpey's comments, he said seven in 10 jobs created nationwide come from small businesses.

"And so we have to do everything we can to encourage that and foster it," he said.

Read the article online HERE.