Engineers of growth share election concerns

Small businesses were catapulted into presidential politics this month with the sudden fame of an Ohio man who became known as “Joe the plumber.” Like farmers and homeowners, Main Street business people have long been a key part of the nation’s political landscape. Small-business men and women also have long been considered the backbone of the nation’s economy.

But the term “small business” covers a lot of territory. Indeed, the U.S. Small Business Administration counts some businesses with up to 1,500 employees as small businesses for the purposes of awarding government contracts. The typical limit, however, in most industries is 500 employees.

Small businesses are the growth engine of the economy, said Demming Bass, vice president of marketing and public policy for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. He said Gwinnett County added more jobs between 2000 and 2006 than any other Georgia county, largely because of the growth of small businesses.

The business group hasn’t endorsed a presidential candidate or surveyed its members about the candidates’ proposals. But he said many small businesses are worried about the same issues: the economy, taxes, cost of health care and government regulations.

Here’s a look at three local small businesses and what their owners have to say about some of the issues:

ANGELA McLEAN, PSYCHO SISTERS CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUES CEO McLean, whose chain has three stores that sell high-end used clothing, is still deciding on who she’ll choose for president. But she says the person who works the hardest to create incentives for small-business owners and lower taxes will get her vote. Story

JOEL ROTH, FULTON SUPPLY CO. Roth, president of the industrial supply distributor, says he is tired of the costly, poorly conceived ideas coming out of Washington. “For the good of the country, I would not be opposed to a tax increase, with one stipulation,” he said. “I’d like to see less waste, less corruption and less inefficiencies.” Story

BRIAN PERDUE, 124 GROUP Perdue, who has expanded his wife’s hair stylist business into a small empire, worries that higher taxes would cut into his growth plans. “Would you rather have a little bit of money that you are taking from me to give to somebody else, or would you rather I give them a job?” Perdue asked. Story