MONROE - A call last week from the U. S. Department of Commerce put Pam Christopher, executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, on alert.
Monroe had been chosen as one of 100 communities across the nation to get a visit from a senior White House administration leader, as part of the White House Business Council roundtable meetings with local business leaders.
The White House Business Council (WHBC) was formed at the beginning of the Obama Administration as one way to directly connect the administration to the business community. The council is made up of the Cabinet and sub-Cabinet agencies and White House offices and initiatives that work with American business.
Monroe's visiting White House dignitary turned out to be Scott Quehl, the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He also happens to be a Monroe native.
Quehl, a 1984 Monroe High School graduate, received the president's commission Dec. 30, 2009 and was sworn in Feb. 2, 2010.
Quehl met in a closed session with about 17 area business leaders for about 90 minutes Monday, Oct. 3 at Colony Brands in Monroe. The meeting was a rare opportunity for local business members to share their concerns and ideas with one of America's top officials, one directly connected to the commerce department.
While obtaining feedback on the effectiveness of government resources and programs and how they can be further improved, Quehl also provided business members with information about administration policy and about resources and programs available to support their growth and success.
"I'm sure Scott Quehl has the ear of the Secretary (of the commerce department) and can explain what's going on in Monroe, and will use Monroe as an example of what's going on (in the nation's business sector)," Christopher said.
Christopher said she believes Quehl saw during the discussion what stood out about the Monroe business community - the close ties businesses had forged with each other.
"He was excited to hear that we all knew each other's businesses," she said.
Christopher noted examples of local companies in cheese, dairy, robotics and manufacturing industries that "cross-promote" each other.
"There's a big effort here in not just trying to survive, but thriving and helping your business partners," she said.
Christopher said Quehl told the group that they "really get it" in understanding the idea of utilizing each other's businesses.
Quehl also expressed interest in the businesses' move toward green technology and growth, even during the downturn in economy, she added.
"Those things helped him see we are different and difference-makers," Christopher said.
Christopher said Quehl asked her if she could host a visit from the Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank in the future.
"I told him I would love to," Christopher said. "I will help anyone who can help us forge a path for our business community."
The roundtable meeting also made an impact locally. Phil Rath, Monroe city administrator, said what he heard at the meeting reinforced his thoughts about promoting economic development in the city.
"We are working to streamline processes for people who want to grow, expand or come to Monroe," he said. "It's not always about the money or the cost to construct or to gather working capital; it's the time frame, extra time and more meetings (required to meet government regulations)."
"But it was good to hear businesses are looking at expanding in the next year or two years. That's a good sign," he added.
Senior White House Administration officials will visit at least 100 communities across all 50 states by year-end. The purpose of the roundtables is to listen, learn and begin a dialogue with local leaders and to take concrete action in each of these communities to grow jobs and increase competitiveness.
Monroe had been chosen as one of 100 communities across the nation to get a visit from a senior White House administration leader, as part of the White House Business Council roundtable meetings with local business leaders.
The White House Business Council (WHBC) was formed at the beginning of the Obama Administration as one way to directly connect the administration to the business community. The council is made up of the Cabinet and sub-Cabinet agencies and White House offices and initiatives that work with American business.
Monroe's visiting White House dignitary turned out to be Scott Quehl, the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He also happens to be a Monroe native.
Quehl, a 1984 Monroe High School graduate, received the president's commission Dec. 30, 2009 and was sworn in Feb. 2, 2010.
Quehl met in a closed session with about 17 area business leaders for about 90 minutes Monday, Oct. 3 at Colony Brands in Monroe. The meeting was a rare opportunity for local business members to share their concerns and ideas with one of America's top officials, one directly connected to the commerce department.
While obtaining feedback on the effectiveness of government resources and programs and how they can be further improved, Quehl also provided business members with information about administration policy and about resources and programs available to support their growth and success.
"I'm sure Scott Quehl has the ear of the Secretary (of the commerce department) and can explain what's going on in Monroe, and will use Monroe as an example of what's going on (in the nation's business sector)," Christopher said.
Christopher said she believes Quehl saw during the discussion what stood out about the Monroe business community - the close ties businesses had forged with each other.
"He was excited to hear that we all knew each other's businesses," she said.
Christopher noted examples of local companies in cheese, dairy, robotics and manufacturing industries that "cross-promote" each other.
"There's a big effort here in not just trying to survive, but thriving and helping your business partners," she said.
Christopher said Quehl told the group that they "really get it" in understanding the idea of utilizing each other's businesses.
Quehl also expressed interest in the businesses' move toward green technology and growth, even during the downturn in economy, she added.
"Those things helped him see we are different and difference-makers," Christopher said.
Christopher said Quehl asked her if she could host a visit from the Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank in the future.
"I told him I would love to," Christopher said. "I will help anyone who can help us forge a path for our business community."
The roundtable meeting also made an impact locally. Phil Rath, Monroe city administrator, said what he heard at the meeting reinforced his thoughts about promoting economic development in the city.
"We are working to streamline processes for people who want to grow, expand or come to Monroe," he said. "It's not always about the money or the cost to construct or to gather working capital; it's the time frame, extra time and more meetings (required to meet government regulations)."
"But it was good to hear businesses are looking at expanding in the next year or two years. That's a good sign," he added.
Senior White House Administration officials will visit at least 100 communities across all 50 states by year-end. The purpose of the roundtables is to listen, learn and begin a dialogue with local leaders and to take concrete action in each of these communities to grow jobs and increase competitiveness.