Last week, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and I toured Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District in an effort to highlight small businesses. On the tour, which we called the #TalkSmallYall Small Business Tour, we listened to business owners, managers, employees and others about what they’re seeing and experiencing in today’s economy and we asked for input on how to make it easier for small businesses to grow and thrive.

More than 90 percent of Natural State businesses are small businesses. They employ nearly half of Arkansas employees. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, so Congressman Westerman and I wanted to hear directly from the people who are on the frontlines of economic activity. We’ll be taking their concerns and feedback to Washington, D.C. in order to help enact pro-growth policies that provide the predictability small-business owners need.

Here are some highlights from the #TalkSmallYall Small Business Tour as covered by media outlets in Arkansas:

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Backbone of state (Op-Ed by Congressman Westerman & me)

El Dorado News-Times – Touring MAD

Big 96.1 FM (El Dorado) – #TalkSmallYall Small Business Tour Radio Interview

93.3 The Eagle FM (El Dorado) – #TalkSmallYall Small Business Tour Radio Interview

Magnolia Banner-News – Boozman and Westerman in Magnolia tomorrow for small business tour

Magnolia Reporter – Diary: U.S. Sen. John Boozman and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman are in town today

My ArkLaMiss (KTVE/KARD) – Boozman and Westerman visit El Dorado to key in on small businesses

KFTS Morning Radio (Texarkana) – #TalkSmallYall Small Business Tour Radio Interview

Hot Springs Sentinel-Record – Listening tour sends lawmakers to Timber Automation

Texarkana Gazette – Boozman, Westerman tour Eagle Distributing of Texarkana

THV11 – Hot Springs unveils 100th new business after Majestic fire

ArkLaTex (KTAL) – Boozman, Westerman meet with bankers

Magnolia Banner-News – Boozman, Westerman visit Magnolia, talk small business

Hot Springs Sentinel-Record – Downtown celebrates 100th business since Majestic fire