Roy Heim, the founder and owner of Heim Construction, in Orwigsburg, testified earlier this week at a meeting of the US House Small Business Committee.
Heim was invited to testify at the meeting by Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9), who serves on the committee and represents Schuylkill County in Congress.
The aim of the committee meeting was to gauge the current state of small business in America, especially Main Street businesses.
“Roy embodies the spirit of the American entrepreneur,” Meuser said introducing Heim to fellow committee members on Tuesday. “Mr. Heim knows firsthand how today’s economic headwinds are impacting small business like his across America and will provide valuable insight into the current state of Main Street America.”
In his testimony, Heim told the Small Business Committee how his business has grown from its beginnings in 1991 until today, which has 95 employees. He said regulations on the construction industry have grown about as much as his business.
“A number of federal and state regulatory requirements surrounding the construction industry has also grown significantly. We spend an enormous amount of time and money to stay compliant, employing 15 full-time employees in our office who work countless hours to ensure we remain in compliance with the forever-changing regulations,” Heim said. “Many of these laws and regulations, while well-intended make it much more difficult, if not impossible, for small businesses to comply, compete and survive.”
Heim was also critical of federal contracts which more often require the use of labor unions. He said this eliminates about 88% of businesses in the construction industry.
“That 88 percent is the heart of small business community in the construction industry that you are here to protect and help and thrive,” Heim added.
Heim Construction Owner Testifies Before US House Small Business Committee
You can watch the full Small Business Committee meeting in the YouTube player below, including more testimony from Heim and other small business owners invited to this meeting:
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