PITMAN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill visited Pitman on Wednesday to speak with small business owners about how her administration can help them out.
It was a hero's welcome for Sherrill at Words Matter bookstore in Pitman, after her first stop at Endgrain Coffee Roasters. She said it was important to connect with small businesses to find out how the state can remove some of the red tape that costs people time and money.
“I’ve heard too many stories from people who do the five steps they need to get a permit, and they go back and well, here’s five more. So there’s not a lot of clarity, transparency, or accountability in getting through this process. It seems very subjective,” said the governor-elect.
“I think there are small businesses that go out of business in the state before they even open their doors, so that’s why I’m so focused on cutting through that red tape, on cutting down on those fees. The first thing you should get from the state when you’re like, ‘I wanna open a small business,’ isn’t ‘Write me a check.’ It should be, ‘OK, how can we help?'”
Bookstore owner Keryl Hausmann said she felt honored that Sherrill wanted to come check out the store. “It really makes you feel like you matter,” she said.
“The state is huge, there’s a lot of things, and for her to take her time and stop here and visit other small businesses, I just think it’s incredible.”
Sherrill said she will travel around the state as much as possible to connect with different people as she gets ready to start her term as governor.