GE Capital and Slate's Roadshow for Growth Comes to Phoenix

Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Updated

GE Capital and Slate's Roadshow for Growth Comes to Phoenix

-- 20-City Tour to Highlight Importance of Middle Market Businesses Nationwide --

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GE Capital and Slate's Roadshow for Growth rolls into Phoenix today as part of a six-month, 20-city tour that will address the issues of middle market businesses, a sector that generates $9 trillion in annual revenue and accounts for nearly 34% of total U.S. employment. According to new research released today by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM), mid-sized companies in the Phoenix area comprise only 1% of total businesses, yet generate 26% of total revenue and account for 29% of Phoenix's employment.*


Traveling in a branded bus, GE Capital and Slate's Roadshow for Growth started in Kansas City in May and has traveled to cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte and Atlanta. While in Phoenix, the NCMM will release new data that shows the importance of the middle market to Phoenix including:

  • The middle market in Phoenix consists of approximately 1,700 companies and employs roughly 555,000 employees

  • The middle market in Phoenix grew revenue by 7.6% in 2012 and is projected to continue to grow at a rate of 4.8%

  • The middle market in Phoenix's employment grew by 2.9% in 2012 and is projected to continue to grow at a rate of 1.5%

  • The middle market in Phoenix generated approximately $72.2 billion in revenue in 2012

  • Services segment of the middle market in Phoenix is the largest source of revenue and jobs, at approximately $34 billion and roughly 307,000, respectively

"When middle market companies do well, the economy does well," said Mike Pilot, chief commercial officer of GE Capital. "As the leading lender to the middle market and sponsor to a number of programs to help this critical segment of the U.S. economy grow, we think helping convene a dialogue around the needs of our customers is critical to driving economic growth and creating jobs. From the National Center for the Middle Market to the Roadshow for Growth, our goal is to help policymakers and job creators alike understand that the middle market is the market that drives America."

In Phoenix, the Roadshow for Growth will make several stops at middle market companies, convening a local dialogue on middle market issues. The roadshow will also host a customer event at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort with Former Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals Dennis Green. Dennis Green will use his experience on and off the field to lead a discussion with middle market executives about competitiveness and leadership. After the Phoenix stop, the Roadshow for Growth will make its final stop in LA before heading to Columbus, Ohio for the third annual National Middle Market Summit in late October where key insights and trends from the road will be revealed. At each stop, the Roadshow for Growth will host a variety of events, ranging from town hall discussions and conversations with city mayors to visits with select middle market businesses.

About GE Capital (www.gecapital.com):

GE Capital is one of the world's largest providers of credit and expertise. For more than 1 million businesses, GE Capital provides financing to purchase, lease and distribute equipment, as well as capital for real estate and corporate acquisitions, refinancings and restructurings. GE Capital is a leader in a number of industries, from airlines, healthcare and energy financing to fleet, franchise and middle market corporate finance. For approximately 80 million consumers, GE Capital offers credit cards and retail sales finance programs. GE Capital is an extension of GE's rich heritage of building and supporting growth, providing customers with insight, knowledge and expertise in addition to financing.

About Slate(www.slate.com):

Slate is a daily magazine on the Web that offers analysis and commentary about news, politics, culture, business, law, and technology. Slate's strong editorial voice and witty take on current events have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online and the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism. Reaching 17 million unique visitors per month, Slate is the centerpiece of the Slate Group, an online publishing subsidiary of the Washington Post Co. (NYS: WPO)

National Center for the Middle Market (www.middlemarketcenter.org):

The National Center for the Middle Market is the leading source of knowledge, leadership, and innovative research focused on the U.S. Middle Market economy. The Center provides critical data, analysis, insights, and perspectives to help accelerate growth, increase competitiveness, and create jobs for companies, policymakers, and other key stakeholders in this sector. Stay connected to the Center by contacting middlemarketcenter@fisher.osu.edu.

* Note: estimates based on available data from Dun and Bradstreet and research conducted by the National Center for the Middle Market.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130924005009/en/



Harbinger
John Legittino, 312-286-1526
legittino@gmail.com
or
GE Capital
Holly Colbo, 203-556-6552
Holly.colbo@ge.com
or
Slate
Alissa Neil, 646-495-4000
Alissa@alissaneilpr.com
or
National Center for the Middle Market
Kate Bernard, 202-822-1205
Hamilton Place Strategies
kbernard@hamiltonps.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Arizona

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

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