City Council President Tours Midtown Businesses with Federal and County Officials

Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell joined Karen Mills, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Fulton County Commissioner Joan P. Garner for a meet and greet with local business owners in Atlanta.

Their visit included stops at the New York Butcher Shoppe and Arden’s Garden in Midtown on Wednesday.

SBA Administrator Mills discussed President Barack Obama’s plan to help hard working small business owners and entrepreneurs create jobs by giving them a tax credit for new hires. 

The proposal would provide firms with a 10 percent income tax credit for new wages added in 2012. This would encourage both new hiring and wage increases to existing workers.

It would also extend the 100 percent expensing provision that was signed into law in December 2010, which rewards firms for making investments in new machinery/equipment; allowing them to deduct the full value of those investments through 2012

Both Arden’s Gardens and the New York Butcher Shoppe have used SBA backed loans to help start or grow their business.  Arden’s Gardens purchased its processing facility in East Point with a 504 loan and the New York Butcher Shoppe used an SBA 7(a) loan to launch their operation last year.  Both business anticipate expanding their pay rolls in 2012 and in the case of Arden’s Garden, accelerated expensing of new equipment will reduce the cost of opening new retail locations planned for 2012. 

“I am always happy to see local business owners decide to start or grow their businesses in the city of Atlanta,” Mitchell said. “I firmly believe that the strength of our city’s economy depends on a healthy mix of commerce, ranging from locally owned businesses to large corporations.”

During the tour Council President Mitchell had the opportunity to speak with Greg and Tina Wheat and Rick Wolfe, owners New York Butcher Shoppe about their decision to open a family owned business. He also had the opportunity to learn about their offerings, which include fresh cuts of meat as well as prepared meals for those who do not have the time to cook.

Additionally, the tour group visited with Leslie Zen, owner of Arden’s Garden’s who provided samples of Arden’s Garden’s most requested items – delicious real fruit smoothies and juices.

About the Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.