Hurd Recognized for Championing Small Business

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Will Hurd (TX-23) has received the “Hero of Main Street” award by the National Retail Federation for consistently supporting public policy priorities important to the retail industry and its millions of small businesses.

“99.8 percent of businesses in the state of Texas are small businesses, and they employ roughly 4.6 million hardworking Texans,” said Hurd. “These businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and the backbone of local communities across the 23rd District of Texas. I am honored to receive the “Hero of Main Street” award and will continue to fight for policy solutions and regulatory reform that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and job growth for the folks who contribute so much to our state and nation.”

“Retailers and consumers are feeling good about the state of the U.S. economy, and a big part of that is the result of lawmakers who have made economic growth and job creation a top priority,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As a Hero of Main Street, Rep. Hurd truly understands that the decisions made in Washington have a real impact on local businesses and communities across the country.”

The overwhelming majority of retailers are small businesses, with more than 98 percent of all retail companies employing fewer than 50 people.

The Hero of Main Street award was created by NRF in 2013, and eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship and advocacy to advance retailers’ priorities. Recipients have supported policies that recognize the contributions of the retail industry, and have worked to encourage a “vibrant, sustained and healthy” retail sector.

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association. Based in Washington, D.C., NRF represents discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.