Helping Small Farms and Businesses Thrive
In today’s global economy, Northwest Washington businesses are not only competing with the shop down the street, but with companies around the world. I am committed to helping our small businesses – including our family farms – thrive by increasing access to capital and building a foundation for national and global competition.
Helping Northwest Washington Farms Compete
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee during my first three terms in Congress, I have worked hard to make sure the needs of Washington state and the Northwest have been heard.
Many of Northwest Washington’s small businesses are farms. In Northwest Washington we produce some of the finest fruits, vegetables and dairy products in the world. Fruits, vegetables and nuts — also known as specialty crops — comprise around 50% of farm production Washington state as well as nationally. But in the past, specialty crop farmers have received less than 2% of federal agriculture investments. As Congress passes a new farm bill this year, I am committed to ensuring that we strengthen our investment in Northwest Washington’s family farms.
I’m pleased the farm bill passed by the House makes a serious investment helping Washington producers thrive. Northwest Washington farms would benefit from the $1.6 billion in mandatory funding provided for specialty crops. As a major producer of specialty crops, Washington state would also benefit from the bill’s increased funding for specialty crop block grants, which provide state agriculture departments with resources to support research, improve food safety and inspection, and enhance the ability of American producers to compete internationally. As the Senate writes their version of the bill and we reconcile the two, I will continue to work hard to make sure that the final bill makes needed investments in Northwest Washington agriculture.
For more information about my work supporting farms in our region:
EAT Healthy America Bill
Press Statement on Farm Bill
Helping Northwest Businesses Compete
Small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy. They account for half of our gross domestic product and more than half of jobs nationwide. I’ve spent a lot of time visiting small businesses throughout Northwest Washington and meeting with small business owners. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I work to support small businesses in our district by increasing access to capital, ensuring fair access to federal contracts and reducing burdensome paperwork and regulations.
We need to strengthen federal investments in initiatives that help create jobs, such as Small Businesses Development Centers. Our Small Business Development Centers in Bellingham, Everett and Mount Vernon serve as important resources for small businesses and local entrepreneurs, helping small businesses get off the ground and succeed so they can create new jobs in our Northwest Washington.
Learn more about my work for Northwest Washington’s small businesses
Learn more about the Small Business Committee
