WASHINGTON, DC – The House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access, chaired by Congressman Tom Rice (R-SC), will hold a field hearing next week in Dillon, South Carolina titled, Getting Rural America Back to Work:  Solutions to Unemployment.

Data shows that there are differing levels of what can be described as “economic recovery” following the recession.  In South Carolina, the degree of unemployment varies greatly from county to county, with a particular disparity between urban areas and their rural counterparts.  This trend can be found in various states across America.  A report by the National Association of Counties shows that about half of the nation’s counties are still short of their prerecession economic output.  This hearing will examine ways in which the federal government can support economic growth and help the private sector create jobs in rural communities across the nation.

“While the recession officially ended over four years ago, more than half of the counties in the United States are yet to recover, including many in South Carolina,” said Chairman Rice.  “Likewise, uncertainty has led to a much slower recovery for small businesses than large businesses.  I look forward to discussing with our witnesses what can be done to better foster job creation, particularly in rural areas.”

WHAT: Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access field hearing titled, Getting Rural America Back to Work:  Solutions to Unemployment

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, 2:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Multi-Purpose Room of the Dillon Wellness Center, 1647 Commerce Drive, Dillon, South Carolina, 29536

Witnesses:

Richard Kaglic, Regional Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Chuck Bundy, Deputy Director, Small Business and Existing Industry, SC Dept of Commerce

Joe Jacobs, Senior VP of Operations, South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Ben Chastain, Director, Duke Energy Center of Innovation

Jeff McKay, Executive Director, North Eastern Strategic Alliance

Media RSVP: All media encouraged to RSVP to caroline.vanvick@mail.house.gov or 864-313-2944 by 5:00 PM Wednesday, January 22.