Last week, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-2) and Michael Jones, a staff member from Senator Kay Hagan’s (D-NC) office, visited ESCA Leadership and Development Council member and 100% Employee-Owned Parksite’s facility in Apex, North Carolina. Employee-owners welcomed the Congresswoman and Mr. Jones, offering a tour and joining in a roundtable discussion.
Rep. Ellmers took time to speak individually with employee-owners at the facility and discussed the benefits of the S ESOP business model, many of which were noted in a recent report by Alex Brill, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and CEO of consulting firm Matrix Global Advisors. Brill found that employee-owned companies see higher wages, wage growth, and job stability than the general private sector.
During the roundtable, Rep. Ellmers shared her support for S ESOPs and legislation promoting and expanding employee ownership. Mr. Jones spoke for Senator Hagan at the roundtable, mentioning that he would report back to the Senator on the visit and what he learned about S ESOPs. He also said he will ask Senator Hagan to consider cosponsoring S. 742, the Promotion and Expansion of Employee Ownership Act.
We would like to thank Congresswoman Ellmers and Mr. Jones for taking the time to visit Parksite, and to Parksite for hosting the event!