Reprinted from TIME Magazine

by: Scott Gerber

At the White House yesterday, I had the pleasure of watching one of the most forward-thinking pieces of pro-business bipartisan legislation to date signed into law by President Obama: the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act.

The JOBS Act reduces many of the regulatory barriers that have, up to this point, made it nearly impossible for young startups to raise much-needed capital from investors. If hundreds of Members of Congress and thousands of young American entrepreneurs, myself included, are correct — and I believe we are — this historic moment is going to redefine business as we know it.

Among other capital formation measures, including the expansion of mini-IPOs, the amended JOBS Act includes an edited version of Congressman Patrick McHenry’s “crowd funding bill,” which allows startups and small businesses to raise up to $1 million annually through a number of small-dollar donations using web-based crowdfunding platforms.

Even amid concerns about the long-term potential investor fraud (which was answered, in part, by an amendment from the Senate designed to protect non-accredited investors), the United States Congress still went forward and did the right thing: they stepped up, with majorities in both the House and the Senate, to overwhelmingly support a bill that many young entrepreneurs feel will significantly improve the U.S. startup ecosystem.

(MORE: Will the JOBS Act Live Up to its Name?)

I think this show of bipartisanship sends a crystal-clear message to Americans, and to young entrepreneurs in particular: The U.S. government believes in our power to fundamentally change the economic course of this country. And our elected officials are finally allowing us the freedom to do so more easily, in part by using the crowdfunding platforms that have already made sweeping changes in the lives of many young inventors, fundraisers, artists and entrepreneurs who wish to make a difference.

That even our legislators can see through the barrage of well-intended criticism and understand that making it easier for small business owners to raise investment capital is a clear win for logic–and for long-term change. Around this same time last year, the Obama Administration hosted a conference called “Access to Capital: Fostering Growth and Innovation for Small Companies.”

The key takeaway? Capital investment fuels business growth in general, and it’s especially critical to sustain young, high-growth companies (which only make up 1% of all companies, yet generate 10% of all new jobs each year).

Probably not a surprising insight to anyone in the business world, but as most young entrepreneurs know, raising investment capital in this economic climate is no small feat. Most U.S. small business owners end up knee-deep in credit card debt and bank loans instead, or they give up so much equity up-front that they can’t fuel the growth — and therefore, the hiring — that actually drives the economic engine of this country.

In our annual Youth Entrepreneurship Survey of 1,600 Americans aged 16 to 39, the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) and Buzz Marketing Group found that 88% of Americans feel the government does not support them. Bipartisan legislation like the JOBS Act gives me renewed hope that our elected officials are listening, and that they’re willing to take a chance on us — the young people who will lead this country forward in the next 10, 20 and 30 years.

These are exactly the kind of proactive changes my organization (YEC) has been fighting for through its #FixYoungAmerica movement; hopefully, the JOBS Act is just the beginning, and there will be many more pro-entrepreneurship reforms to come. Meanwhile, I trust that the young entrepreneurs I work with every day will take this opportunity to prove to us all that they can and will embrace the entrepreneurial spirit that defines this country — so we can all get back to work.

Read more: http://business.time.com/2012/04/06/the-jobs-act-signing-a-giant-step-for-entrepreneurship-in-america/#ixzz1rJeZ1Hym

From the Gaston Gazette:

Senator James Forrester

A Gaston County lawmaker is being buried at Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of his service as U.S. Air Force brigadier general and Vietnam-era flight surgeon.

State Sen. Jim Forrester from Stanley died in October at age 74. He’ll be buried Monday, March 26, at the resting place for the nation’s military.

Forrester was a family doctor from Mount Holly who served 11 terms in the state Senate. The social conservative died just weeks after meeting his goal to put a constitutional referendum before voters on whether to ban gay marriage. The vote is set for May.

Gov. Beverly Perdue has ordered flags at state facilities lowered to half-staff Monday in Forrester’s honor. State officials say the honor is traditional for sitting legislators who die while in office.

Read more: http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/state-69187-forrester-lawmaker.html#ixzz1qFE4c6rQ

Local GOP raises record amount for 2012 election effort; Forrester, Philbeck honored

Gastonia – The Gaston County Republican Party held its best attended and most profitable Lincoln Day Dinner in memory on Saturday night.  More than 225 people attended the GOP’s annual fundraising dinner that commemorates the nation’s first Republican President.  The proceeds brought in by the dinner are the most raised in at least two decades, if not ever.

“Republicans in Gaston County are motivated like never before,” stated Gaston GOP Chairman Craig Collins.  “Barack Obama and Bev Perdue have given conservatives, and all citizens who cherish smaller government and constitutional freedom, every reason to be involved in this year’s elections.”

Collins went on to praise dinner keynote speakers, Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) and North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes, “Chairman Hayes reminded us, in no uncertain terms, that North Carolina will be the top battleground state this November and we must be prepared to run the score up in Republican Counties such as Gaston.”  Congressman McHenry showed why we are fortunate to be moving into the 10^th District and gaining such a strong, conservative advocate in Congress for all of Gaston County.

The Gaston County Republican Party presented its three annual awards at the dinner as well.  The honorees were:

• Chairman’s Award – Erik Soderstrome, Chairman of the Belmont Abbey College Republicans.  Given by Chairman Craig Collins for his volunteer I.T. work for the Party.
•  Republican of the Year – County Commissioner Tracy Philbeck.  Given for his tireless work at the grassroots level and steadfast support for the principles of the Party.
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Senator Jim Forrester (given posthumously).  For his lifetime of dedication to the principles of the Republican Party.  For the outstanding example that Senator Forrester set for Republicans in Gaston County during his 21 years as a State Senator, the Gaston GOP also announced that from henceforth, this award will be known as the “Senator James S. Forrester Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Gaston County Republican Party Chairman Craig Collins issued the following statement regarding today’s end of the candidate filing period:

“The Gaston County Republican Party enters the 2012 election cycle with a ticket that is loaded with talent, experience and dedication to serve.  With a combination of proven incumbents such as Senator Kathy Harrington and Register of Deeds Susan Lockridge, to energetic newcomers like County Commission Candidate Jason Williams; the GOP is strong and ready to lead in Gaston County.

The Democrats left Representative John Torbett and Senator Kathy Harrington completely unopposed this year.  This is a testament to the excellent job that these two fine public servants are doing for us in Raleigh.  They also left half the county commissioner races unchallenged.  We are proud of the slate of proven and committed public servants running on the Republican ticket and we look forward to taking our message to every corner of Gaston County from now until Election Day.”

Ninth District Representative and former Charlotte Mayor has served in Congress since 1995.  Gaston County will certainly miss her!  

Speaker Thom Tillis

Speaker of the NC House Thom Tillis will be holding a Legislative Town Hall on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at Gaston Community College, Belmont Campus in Kimbrell Auditorium. In this all important election year, we need to stay informed on legislative issues in our state. Please invite your friends and neighbors to attend.

We should have a great turn-out for this event.  Let’s give Speaker Tillis a rousing Gaston County welcome!

Office of the Speaker

Rep. Thom Tillis

Speaker of the House

­­­ SAVE THE DATE ~

Speaker of the House Thom Tillis

Invites you to join him for a
LEGISLATIVE TOWN HALL

Monday, January 30

5:00 p.m. – Town Hall
Gaston Community College
Belmont Campus – Kimbrell Auditorium
7230 Wilkinson Blvd
Belmont, NC 28012

RSVP requested ~ reply to (speaker.rsvp@ncleg.net)

New District 41 Senator to Speak to Gaston County Republican Party Monthly Executive Committee Meeting

Senator Chris Carney

North Carolina Senator Chris Carney will be the featured speaker at the January meeting of the Gaston County Republican Party Executive Committee Meeting at Mango Bob’s Tropical Grill on Monday, January 9th.  All Republicans are welcome and encouraged to attend a dutch treat dinner from 6:00 – 7:00pm with the meeting beginning promptly at 7:00pm.

Mango Bob’s is located at 141 West Main Avenue – Gastonia.

Senator Carney was recently appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Senator Jim Forrester who died last Fall.  Carney previously served five years as a Mooresville Town Commissioner, the last two as Mayor Pro-tem of Mooresville.  The 41st Senate District includes portions of northeastern Gaston County including Mount Holly, Stanley, Lucia & Alexis as well as all of Lincoln County and half of Iredell County.