Press Releases

Harrisburg, PA – Congressman Scott Perry has been recognized as a “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation (NRF) for consistently supporting public policy priorities important to the retail industry and its millions of small businesses. The awards were presented as small retailers across the country gathered in Washington for NRF’s Retail Advocates Summit.

“Small businesses are essential to ensuring jobs around the Nation and in Central Pennsylvania,” said Perry. “I’m honored to receive this Award – especially as a former small business owner myself - and continue to fight for policies that benefit of our hard-working men and women right here at home.”

“Retailers and consumers are feeling good about the state of the U.S. economy, and a big part of that is the result of lawmakers who have made economic growth and job creation a top priority,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As a Hero of Main Street, Congressman Perry truly understands that the decisions made in Washington have a real impact on local businesses and communities across the country.”

The overwhelming majority of retailers are small businesses, with more than 98 percent of all retail companies employing fewer than 50 people.

The Hero of Main Street award was created by NRF in 2013, and eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship and advocacy to advance retailers’ priorities. Award recipients support policies that recognize the contributions of the retail industry, and worked to encourage a “vibrant, sustained and healthy” retail sector.

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association, and represents discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the Nation’s largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.