Local Business Owners Speak To Meehan About Economic Worries

Republican U.S. Congressman Pat Meehan sat down with concerned local business owners recently where they discussed the troubling economy.

The meeting was hosted by the Haverford Partnership for Economic Development president Brendan Goggin at his Oakmont National Pub along the intersection of Darby and Eagle roads.

Some of those in the Friday, Oct. 07 attendance were Haverford Township Civic Council President Chris Whiting, the vice president of the council and 3rd ward candidate Jane Hall and Patrick Boyle, owner of the Boyle Energy.

Some of the concerns that were addressed by Goggin and the small group were:

• State and federal regulations that hurt business owners.
• Health care reform
• The uncertain future of the economy

“We depend on local people, but the poor economy is effecting our businesses,” Goggin told Meehan. “We haven’t seen the number of people (in our shops) like we used to.”

Meehan agreed, saying that small businesses are important to the country’s economy, adding that 70 percent of the nation’s job market comes from small businesses.

With at least four empty business stores near the Oakmont National Pub, ideas are needed to help the local economy, many said. 

“We need some incentives to bring businesses in,” Hall saying, with Goggin adding he would like to see more savvier businesses in his section to bring more people in.

He added investments such as better streetlights and making crosswalks more “walker friendly” may incline shoppers to enjoy the scenery longer while they do their shopping. Small things like this make a difference, he says.

But the poor economy makes planning for the future difficult, says Hall. As a realtor, she told Meehan that she would like to hire an assistant but the economic uncertainty makes prevents her from doing so, she explains.

After the small meeting, the group showed Meehan some of the empty businesses in along Darby and Eagle roads, but also showed the congressman Jon Newman’s business, the Havertown Bike Shop.

While walking around Havertown, Meehan took the time to speak with the Haverford-Havertown Patch.

Some of the things that Meehan heard, such as the uncertainty of government policies and the new health care reform, will actually hurt business owners and will force some to worry if the cost of having an employee will be beneficial for business owners, he said.

Meehan also said that the jobs bill that President Barack Obama wants passed would not help many small business owners.

“There is very little in that jobs bill that really relates to the issues here,” Meehan said. “It doesn’t address the large (concerns) that impact local small businesses.”