As part of her commitment to supporting and encouraging small businesses in the Granite State, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today addressed online entrepreneurs from New Hampshire and across the country during a forum focused on the importance of small businesses and online commerce to our economy. Kuster, who participated in the eBay-sponsored forum with her Republican colleague Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-6), spoke about the vital role that small businesses play in powering New Hampshire’s economy.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, accounting for over 96 percent of employers in New Hampshire and creating more than two thirds of all new jobs nationwide,” Kuster said. “In Congress, we need to be doing everything possible to support small businesses so that they can expand, create good jobs, and drive growth and innovation in our economy.”

During the forum, Kuster affirmed her opposition to imposing sales taxes on New Hampshire small businesses that sell goods over the internet. Legislation currently pending before Congress would require online retailers to collect out of state sales taxes and remit them to over 9,000 taxing jurisdictions nationwide, creating an undue burden on small businesses and harming economic growth.

“Innovative businesses are using the internet to drive economic growth here in New Hampshire and across the country,” Kuster added. “Rather than burdening online entrepreneurs with new taxes and paperwork, Republicans and Democrats should work together to remove hurdles to economic growth and help our small businesses succeed.”

Following the forum, Kuster met with Travis Adams, a Hudson-based small business owner who participated in the event. In late 2011, Travis launched his business, Whaddy, which is already producing hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual revenue. The company, which Travis hopes will be among the fastest growing companies in New Hampshire in five years, purchases surplus merchandise from large retailers and sells the products on eBay at a fraction of the cost.

“It was great having the chance to meet with Congresswoman Kuster, and to tell her about my company,” Adams said. “As a small business owner who sells over the internet, I was especially pleased to discuss our shared opposition to any new online sales taxes that would hurt my business and others like it in New Hampshire.”

Kuster is committed to working with both Republicans and Democrats to support and encourage small businesses in New Hampshire. In January, Kuster launched her “Congress at Your Company” series, which features visits with business leaders and employees throughout the district to discuss ways the federal government can better support job creation and economic growth in the Granite State.

###

Press Contact:
Rob Friedlander, (202) 225-5206