The Tennessee office of NFIB, the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, recently presented its coveted Guardian of Small Business award to state Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes (District 30, which includes part of Hamilton County).

“Esther Helton-Haynes is a stalwart supporter of small business in the Tennessee State House,” NFIB State Director Jim Brown said. “Representative Helton-Haynes has voted for meaningful tax, labor, tort and regulatory reforms that have helped small businesses in the Chattanooga area and across the state grow their businesses, create jobs and help their communities. Her 100 percent NFIB Voting Record the last three years demonstrates her staunch support for small business. She is also very well respected in the legislature for being fair-minded and deliberate in her leadership roles.”

The presentation was made last week at Ruby Falls, an NFIB member. Garnett Decosimo, with NFIB member Decosimo Corporate Finance, presented the award to Helton-Haynes. The Guardian of Small Business award is the most prestigious honor that NFIB bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small business. The NFIB Tennessee Leadership Council, an advisory board comprised of NFIB members, voted to present the award for her outstanding leadership on small business issues.

Helton-Haynes said, “I’m greatly honored to be recognized with the NFIB Guardian of Small Business award. Supporting small businesses has been and will remain a top priority of mine in Nashville. We must continue to do all we can to help small businesses thrive in Hamilton County and across Tennessee.”

Helton-Haynes chairs the House Insurance Subcommittee and serves on the Insurance and Health committees.