On November 27, 15 small business owners from across the country met with President Obama and top-level administration advisers and staff to discuss fiscal cliff issues and how to address them. Among the small business owners invited to the White House for the session was New Glarus Brewing Co. co-founder Deb Carey.

There is recognition by top government officials that small businesses-and small and independent breweries in particular-are key drivers of economic growth and job creation, and that the perspectives of some of those who have been most successful would be valuable as Congress and the administration tackle the country’s dire fiscal situation.

In a Brewbound article posted to the New Glarus website, Carey expressed her agreement that small businesses are, in fact, efficient and prolific job creators and that she is encouraged that the administration understands and values the experiences and insights that small brewers can bring to the equation.

The positive and growing economic impact that New Glarus. has on its home community and the state of Wisconsin is undoubtedly significant and is repeated in towns and cities across the country where small brewers are part of the community. Nationally, small and independent brewers employ over 100,000 full- and part-time employees, generate more than $3 billion in wages and benefits and pay more than $2.3 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes. 

Congratulations to Deb Carey for being recognized at the highest levels, not only as a successful entrepreneur, but as a citizen whose experiences and acumen can inform a solution to a national challenge of historic proportions.