Press Releases

HOMEGROWN BUSINESS OWNERS ENDORSE PRATT

Local business owners from across the region have joined together to create a Homegrown Business Owners for Pratt steering committee to support Dr. Carole Pratt, candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates.

The group is made up of owners of local independently-owned businesses. These business leaders share a commitment to our communities’ economies by creating jobs here and are supporting Carole because of her expertise in job creation.

Homegrown Business Owners for Pratt steering committee member Katy Kirk said, "As a new small business owner, I have an increasing appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into operating the businesses that every community depends on for local goods and services. Carole is one of the hardest working people I know and with her invaluable personal business experience in a private dental practice, I know she will take an important small business perspective with her to Richmond."

“I admire the spirit of optimism and entrepreneurship these local business men and women bring to our communities and I am honored to have their support,” said Carole Pratt. “I know that we will succeed here in Southwest Virginia during these difficult economic times because of the self-reliance and drive of our hard-working men and women. Homegrown businesses are the backbone of our economy and as delegate it will be my top priority to help them thrive.”

“As a former family business owner, Carole has a firsthand appreciation for the challenges of running a local business and she believes that our representatives in the General Assembly should be doing everything possible to ensure our local businesses have the tools to succeed,” added campaign manager Eric Hyers. “Unfortunately, it seems that the incumbent does not share these priorities. Taxes on employers will increase by $78 per worker beginning in January as a direct result of the incumbent voting in lock step with her party bosses to reject $125 million in stimulus funds. Supporting local business should not be a partisan issue.”

The steering committee includes:

Angie Alderman

C.B. Andrews, Jr.

Garry Ayers

Eddie Hale

Tracey Harriman

Bobby Jackson

Martha Jackson

Chuck Johnson

Clinton Kegley

Robin Kegley

Luther Kirk