Biden touted Black small businesses in Milwaukee visit

President Joe Biden recently visited Milwaukee to share positive news about small businesses owned by Black and Latino people.

He wanted to connect with voters of color and highlight the growth of these businesses, especially after challenging times during the pandemic.

Biden touted Black small businesses in Milwaukee visit. In his speech at the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, President Biden proudly mentioned that “Black small-business ownership is growing at the fastest rate in 30 years, according to government data.”

He shared that the percentage of Black households owning a business has doubled between 2019 and 2022. Additionally, Latino-owned small businesses are experiencing their fastest growth in a decade since the lockdowns of the pandemic.

President Biden spoke in front of signs that read “America’s small business boom,” emphasizing the positive impact of these businesses on the nation’s economy.

He expressed optimism, saying, “We’re just getting started.” Biden acknowledged the vision and courage of those who started their businesses, betting on themselves. He emphasized the collective effort in transforming the economy by investing in all Americans.

One of Biden’s main goals was to reassure Americans about the economic recovery, especially as recent polls show concerns about the economy. He wants to show progress while addressing the economic anxieties that many people are feeling. Additionally, polls suggest that Biden’s support among Black and Latino voters in a hypothetical rematch against former President Donald Trump is not as strong as it was in the 2020 election.

Biden introduced his economic vision as “Bidenomics,” which he sees as a departure from the economic policies of his predecessor, referring to Trump. He took the opportunity to criticize Trump’s recent controversial remarks about immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country.” Biden condemned this language and emphasized that his administration is committed to supporting minority-owned small businesses.

According to Biden, under Trump’s presidency, minority-owned small businesses “found themselves last in line” when it came to accessing emergency relief programs during the pandemic.

Biden asserted that, on his watch, emergency relief went to minority-owned businesses first, not last. He criticized Republicans, saying they oppose critical actions that benefit working- and middle-class people, especially Black Americans.

Milwaukee holds significance for Democrats, and Biden needs strong support from this city to secure Wisconsin, a key battleground state.

During his visit, Biden highlighted Hero Plumbing, a Black-owned business in Milwaukee benefiting from federal contracts for replacing dangerous lead pipes. These contracts were made possible by the federal infrastructure law approved in 2021 with support from Biden and congressional Democrats.

Recent polls indicate that Biden still maintains substantial support among likely Black voters, leading Trump 82%-13% in a 2024 rematch. However, the gap narrows among all registered Black voters to 75%-17%. Among likely Latino voters, Biden leads Trump 47%-35%, with a closer margin of 42%-41% among all registered Latino voters. This compares to the 2020 election where Biden carried Black voters 92%-8% over Trump and Latino voters 65%-32%.

Despite positive economic indicators such as a 50-year-low unemployment rate, a robust job market, and a thriving stock market, Americans remain concerned about the economy due to high inflation. Polls consistently show that more Americans trust Trump than Biden to improve the economy.

The White House highlighted other positive economic trends for Black and Latino Americans, including record-low Black unemployment in April, increased federal lending for Black and Latino communities, and record federal contracts for small, women-owned, or minority businesses.

During his speech, Biden announced that the Grow Milwaukee Coalition is among 22 finalists for a federal “Recompete” economic development grant through the Commerce Department. This grant aims to improve distressed and long-neglected areas. The Milwaukee proposal focuses on revitalizing the city’s 30th Street industrial corridor and reconnecting its historically segregated Black community with other economic opportunities.

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