Vice President Mike Pence Visits the Rewold Construction Site in Downtown Rochester

Vice President Mike Pence Touts Tax Cuts at Rochester Construction Site

Vice President Mike Pence said Rochester, Michigan, is “rolling.”

Pence visited Oakland County on Friday touting tax cuts and how it has benefited businesses like Frank Rewold and Sons, a local construction company based in Rochester.

Pence toured the 100-year-old, four-generation company’s new, $12 million headquarters, which is currently under construction. He also spoke to workers while on-site and then to a crowd waiting outside Rochester Mills Brewing Company about how businesses across Michigan, and the nation, are experiencing the positive trickle down effects of the tax reform package approved by Congress in December.

Pence said working families in Michigan are seeing more money in their paychecks, $2,300 on average for a family of four, and companies are announcing bonuses, investment in new workers and higher wages.

“The American people did elect a builder as the president of The United States of America,” said Pence. “We wanted to be here today to have a chance to congratulate this great company and great family on their success but also to celebrate that because of your support we have been able to enact policies to bring America back.”

Since election day 2016, the U.S. economy has created 3.4 million new jobs, which includes 80,000 jobs in Michigan, 25,000 of which are in the manufacturing and construction sector, according to Pence.

“That is a real growth and those are real results,” he said. “Unemployment hasn’t been this low in American in nearly 50 years. We have recorded in recent days the lowest unemployment rate among African Americans and Hispanic Americans that has ever been recorded in American history.”

Pence also congratulated Frank Rewold, president and CEO of Frank Rewold and Sons, on their 100 years of success and growth.

Rewold said having the vice president in town to tour his company’s new headquarters was exciting. He said his company is benefiting from the federal government’s new tax policies.

“I’m fired up about the vice president being here,” said Rewold. “We have felt the positive trickle down effects from the tax reform. We’ve been hiring heavily over the past year. We have seen 30 percent growth and have doubled our profit sharing, which goes right back to our workers. That’s huge.”

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said Friday was a chance to highlight the good work being done in the community. He said the new tax structure has been felt locally.

The company is hoping to move into its new office building in October, just in time to celebrate its 100-year anniversary. It’s old headquarters nearby at 333 E. 2nd Street has been sold and will be converted into a $20 million development.

Before arriving in Rochester, Pence made a stop in Birmingham to attend a private campaign fundraiser for state attorney general, and gubernatorial candidate, Bill Schuette, at the Townsend Hotel.

“It’s a big day … to have the vice president in town,” said Schuette. “It’s all about tax cuts and the creation of more jobs. We need to cut taxes in Michigan just like President Trump cut taxes in America.

Story and Photos Courtesy of The Oakland Press