Former 5th District Democratic Congressman Tom Perriello took a trip outside the district he used to represent to help show how the federal government can help, or hurt, small business owners.
Perriello toured downtown Staunton on Monday to raise support for President Obama.
Democrats and Republicans who've met with small businesses owners over the past few weeks agree on one thing: there's a clear and sharp difference between their visions for our country. Each side has been trying to show how theirs is the one that brings new jobs and growth.
Perriello was led by Bruce Elder, a council member who also restores and sells classic cars. They say the Obama administration has committed to investing in "main street" business growth. They point to the federal subsidies for Amtrak, the passenger rail service that Elder says is vital to Staunton tourism.
"One of the ways that those people come to Staunton, by the thousands, is by Amtrak. Under the Romney plan, the Romney and Ryan plan, both zero the subsidy for Amtrak - that would be devastating," said Elder.
Perriello also met with a Staunton real estate developer who says federal tax credits for historic preservation have made a direct impact on Staunton's downtown rebirth. That district now has 250 small businesses, many of them in historic buildings.
The Staunton event is part of the Obama campaign's "Building a Stronger Virginia" tour. Perriello says the president's jobs bill would bring $800 million in infrastructure investment to Virginia.
