ABC Jan. 26 urged President Obama to include free enterprise solutions to stimulate the economy and help create jobs in his Jan. 27 State of the Union address.  

“If history has taught us anything, job creation is best fostered in a pro-business environment where free enterprise and open competition are unconstrained. Free enterprise solutions are the key to kick-starting our lagging economy,” said ABC 2010 National Chairman James (Jim) W. Elmer, founder and president of James W. Elmer Construction Co., Spokane, Wash. “Creating jobs and invigorating our economy has emerged as an urgent need for Americans in general, and for ABC members in particular.  

“With construction in this country nearly at a standstill and the industry unemployment rate at a staggering 22.7 percent – more than twice the national average – we call on President Obama to focus on a job proposal that will help put Americans back to work and the construction industry back on its feet,” said Elmer.  

“In order to revive the economy and create jobs for the men and women in the construction industry, regardless of labor affiliation, we believe that it is imperative to focus on implementing free enterprise solutions to increase access to capital, provide meaningful tax relief for small businesses, speed up delivery of stimulus dollars to ‘shovel-ready’ projects, support a comprehensive energy plan, and increase access to training programs for all,” said Elmer.  

“This is not a time to play favorites with special interest groups, such as big labor,” said Elmer. “Now is the time for the Obama administration to embrace policies that benefit all Americans, not a chosen few.”