Ann Arbor Spark Hosts Federal Business Roundtable

ANN ARBOR -- Ann Arbor Spark last week hosted a White House Business Council roundtable discussion, where business owners connected with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

This roundtable was part of an ongoing series; the White House Business Council will host these roundtables in at least 200 communities across the country by year-end.

"Ann Arbor Spark's role is to connect business with opportunities to help them thrive in our region," said Tim Marshall, president and CEO of the Bank of Ann Arbor and vice chair of Ann Arbor Spark's board of directors, who represented Spark at the event. "Participating in the White House Business Council roundtable connects the businesses in our region to government leaders, giving them a voice in legislation and activity that directly impact their future. Making connections between business, education and government is a way that Spark strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem that's contributing to the region's economic success."

Rebecca M. Blank, Acting Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce, hosted the roundtable, held at the Ann Arbor Spark East business incubator.

"Helping put more Americans back to work is this administration's top priority, but Washington doesn't have all the answers," Blank said. "These roundtable discussions are opportunities for the Administration to get feedback about what's working and what we could be doing better. Perhaps most importantly, they give us a chance to take ideas from local leaders and turn them into concrete action to help American businesses."

The purpose of these roundtables is to listen to local businesses, getting feedback on how the Administration can best support their growth. It is also a resource for helping local business leaders take advantage of the Administration resources and programs designed to help them create jobs and compete in the market.

More at www.AnnArborUSA.org.