Congressman to Meet with Small Businesses
By Claudia Garcia | Alice Echo-News Journal
Congressman Filemon Vela will be in Alice on Wednesday, Sept. 4 to speak to small business owners about the Affordable Care Act.
The Alice Chamber of Commerce and the Alice/Jim Wells County Economic Development Corporation will be sponsoring a luncheon for the congressman and the small business owners. EDC Director Warren Ketteman said the chamber visited with the congressman during his surprise visit to Alice during a veteran's event.
Vela said he wanted to come to Alice and have a talk with the small businesses in the area. By small businesses, Ketteman said businesses with less than 50 employees are invited to attend the luncheon.
“He wants to speak about that, how it may or may not impact these small businesses,” Ketteman said.
Ketteman said Vela will provide information regarding the Affordable Care Act and federal programs available to assist small businesses and is a good way for Vela to meet with the business owners.
Businesses need to RSVP for the luncheon, the EDC sent out invites on Monday. Ketteman said seating is somewhat limited. The luncheon will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on North Adams Street which can seat up to 100 people.
Ketteman said First Community Bank will be providing a “work lunch” which consists of a sandwich, an appropriate side dish and a drink. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“You're going to be eating and working and visiting with the congressman and learning how you can better position your small business to be better successful in South Texas,” Ketteman said.
After Vela gives his presentation he will take some time to answer any questions from business owners. RSVP's to the luncheon can be sent by email to either Noemi Andrade from the chamber at nandrade@alicetx.org //nandrade' + '@' + 'alicetx' + '.' + 'org'; document.getElementById('cloak19968').innerHTML += ''+addy_text19968+'<\/a>'; //--> or to Ketteman at wketteman@alicetx.org //wketteman' + '@' + 'alicetx' + '.' + 'org'; document.getElementById('cloak8879').innerHTML += ''+addy_text8879+'<\/a>'; //--> .
“It's never a negative when you get business people together like that, something good always comes out of it,” Ketteman said.