Glass Doctor franchise owner visits Capitol Hill

David Kozlowski, owner of the Glass Doctor of Southeast Wisconsin franchise, met with members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation about credit availability for business expansion and job growth during the International Franchise Association Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., Sept. 13-14, according to a Sept. 22 release.

During visits with Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Kozlowski discussed how small franchise businesses can create jobs and expand services if Small Business Administration loan limits are increased and credit access is opened.

“In Wisconsin, there are more than 17,000 franchised businesses directly providing more than 216,000 jobs and contributing $15.9 billion to the U.S. economy,” Kozlowski said in the release. “Nationwide for every $1 billion in lending, franchise businesses can create over 40,000 jobs and $4.2 billion in economic output. I would like to make sure some of that potential lending comes to Wisconsin.”

The Small Business Jobs Act recently passed by the Senate includes the SBA loan limit increase, as well as an extension of the 90 percent loan guarantee rate through the end of 2010, which will help to encourage banks to participate in the SBA program.

“Earlier this year we expanded our mobile glass repair and replacement services to the Madison area,” Kozlowski said in the release. “We would love to be able to open a shop location in Madison, but right now I would not be able to get the loans and credit line necessary to add a shop and personnel.”

Kozlowski was among 30 fellow franchise owners who were recognized by the IFA as Franchisees of the Year. Kozlowski is the 2009 Glass Doctor Franchisee of the Year, and he was the 2008 Glass Doctor Rookie of the Year as well. Recently, he was selected by his peers to serve on the Glass Doctor Leadership Council. He is active in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin.