Small business’ plight

On behalf of Snow & Nealley Co., and the 37,000 small businesses across this great state, I am encouraged by the groundwell of support to enhance Maine’s economic development programs.

It is important to note that Snow & Nealley, as well as many other small businesses, neither need nor are they eligible for the bulk of the programs available. In fact, of the 16 programs we had reviewed, only three of the programs might be able to assist in Snow & Nealley’s expansion. I maintain that the bulk of the state’s economic development monies go to relocating and-or large businesses.

Granted, $100 million has been earmarked for 500 businesses in either direct loan guaranteeds and-or tax credits. However, to General Dynamics (Bath Iron Works) alone, $200 million worth of [local and state tax] breaks were offered. Like other small businesses, Snow & Nealley is not looking for a handout — not anymore than General Dynamics or other large corporations are.

The facts are in full support of my case, that relocating and large businesses are the beneficiaries of most of the economic development program monies. Snow & Nealley is making this an issue because it wants Maine to remain its home. We would rather fight to stay in Maine than move to another state.

Fortunately, Angus King is a pro-business governor, and is willing to roll up his sleeves and work on issues that affect small business. In fact, he has a series of small business seminars starting May 6 in Dover-Foxcroft. There will be eight other regional conferences on small business including on Bangor on June 15.

Here are Snow & Nealley, we are thankful to the local media for highlighting the plight of small business. We are also thankful for the governor’s willingness to prioritize this issue. David S. Nealley President-CEO Snow & Nealley Co. Hampden

I cannot believe the ineptness of the Bangor Daily News editorial staff. Shouldn’t you have researched the information Gov. King’s staff sent you regarding “Helping small business in Maine?” As most small business owners known, the programs you quoted in the April 14 edition were not designed to help small business in Maine. What little financial aid that is available for small business does not come close to the millions spent each year trying to lure companies from out of state.

The Snow & Nealley Co. has been doing business in Maine for more than 130 years while paying millions in payroll and property taxes (not to mention the many dollars it has donated to locate charities over this same period). If Snow & Nealley needs a little financial aid, I would rather give it to them than to a new company from out of state. John M. Vogell Bangor