An Orwigsburg businessman offered testimony in Washington at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser before the House Committee on Small Business as part of a hearing titled, “From Nothing to Something: The Story of the American Dream.”
Roy Heim, founder and owner of Heim Construction Co., joined three other small-business owners from across the country to offer testimony at the hearing, which highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses, including inflation, workforce issues, regulatory burdens, supply chain issues and access to capital.
“This committee seeks to be a voice for Main Street America, in Washington,” commitee Chairman Roger Williams said. “As job creators, you are the driving force of our nation’s economy, accounting for more than half the payroll of this entire country. More importantly, you are the backbone of your local communities, though many of your struggles often go unnoticed.”
Meuser introduced Heim by saying: “Roy embodies the spirit of the American entrepreneur and has spent over 30 years building his successful business despite many challenges along the way. With such a diverse set of projects and decades of experience, Mr. Heim knows first-hand how today’s economic headwinds are impacting small businesses like his across America and can provide valuable insight into the current state of Main Street America.”
Heim discussed American entrepreneurship. In 1991, he started as a small general contractor. Heim Construction is a full-service general contracting, design-build and construction management firm that builds commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential facilities, employing 95 people.
“Over many years that we have been in business, a number of federal and state regulatory requirements surrounding the construction industry has also grown significantly,” Heim stated. “We spend an enormous amount of time and money to stay compliant, employing 15 full time employees in our office who work countless hours to ensure we remain in compliance with the forever changing regulations. Many of these laws and regulations, while well intended, make it much more difficult, if not impossible, for small business to comply, complete, and survive, let alone profit,” he emphasized.
Heim serves on the Blue Mountain School Board and is and an appointed vocational tech board member. He studied carpentry at Blue Mountain, his alma mater. He noted that his work as a local volunteer shows another reason why small businesses are vital to communities.
To watch a video of the hearing, go to tinyurl.com/252xetn8
Source: Berkshire mont
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