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SMALL BUSINESS PAL
A week after Rep. Katherine Harris slammed Sen. Bill Nelson as being no friend to small businesses, the non-profit Florida Small Business Development Center Network bestowed its 2006 Small Business Dividend$ Award on Nelson.
The presentation, scheduled for this evening in the Rayburn House Office Building, is to recognize Nelson’s “many accomplishments relative to the success and future of entrepreneurs and small businesses,” according to a letter from Jerry Cartwright, the organization’s state director.
The network, which bills itself as “The Premier Source for Business Assistance in Florida,” cited Nelson’s support for the Small Business Administration, business loan programs, veterans issues and tax credits for small businesses that offer employee health care and that employ national guardsmen. It also mentioned Nelson’s support for eliminating the estate tax on small businesses and family farms.
The organization includes an advisory board of prominent Florida business leaders and has two state lawmakers — both Republicans — as advisors: state Sen. Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach and state Rep. David Mealor of Lake Mary.
Former award winners include former Sen. Bob Graham, a Democrat, and Rep. Bill Young, a Republican.
Harris repeatedly criticized Nelson’s business support record last week and cited his low ratings by the National Federation of Independent Business as evidence.
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