NFIB

Columbus Small-Business Owner Attends Bush Economic Forum in Waco
08/14/2002

NEBRASKA, August 14, 2002 -- Columbus small-business owner Linda Aerni attended President Bush's Economic Forum in Waco, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Aerni is a member of the nation's largest small-business advocacy group, NFIB.

President Bush hosted the forum at Baylor University in Waco. The president brought together government decision makers, small investors, small-business owners, industry experts, workers, unions, corporate executives, economists, and others, to discuss how the current economy is performing and the steps needed to foster sustained economic growth for the future.

Aerni, owner of Community Internet Systems, Inc., participated in this event along with other small-business owners from across the country. Her remarks mentioned the good that is coming from the passage of HR 1552 relating to the moratorium on Internet access taxation. Aerni also expressed small business' frustration with technology in that they often do not even know the questions to ask to expand and utilize technology. The cost of training, licenses, upgrades and being pro-active in staying current and moving beyond day-to-day operations are often prohibitive for small businesses.

Aerni is active in local civic and business organizations, as well as involved in state and federal advocacy and attended the NFIB National Small Business Summit this past June.

"It's a great honor for me to be invited to represent the views of small business at a forum with President Bush," Aerni said. "Hopefully, Congress will act on the president's pro-small-business agenda this fall."

Contact: Michelle Dimarob, (202) 554-9000