WDEF News 12

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Millions of Americans anticipate their share of the economic stimulus plan. But families aren't the only ones looking forward to the benefits. Small businesses struggling in these uncertain times count on the plan's tax incentives to boost the bottom line.

The twenty to twenty five employees serve up home-style southern favorites at Herman's Soul Food and Catering.

Clifford Billups, Herman's Soul Food and Catering, "Collard greens, turnip greens, fried pork chops, smothered pork chops of that nature you know the good food."

The labor of love for Clifford, his dad and his brother keep regulars like Stan Brown coming through the door.

Stan Brown, "The most inviting factor is convenience. With gas being as high as it is my office is right down the street on Brainerd Road. It takes me, I walk here sometimes and I walk back."

Billups says Herman's could use more customers like him.

Billups, "The extra little money that everybody has to go out and dine you know they're kind of you know watching it."

So business is slower than he'd like.

Billups, "Our daily inventory, it actually went up. Quite a bit."

With more money going out and less cash coming in, it's just not adding up.

Billups, "We just had to cut hours this week and last week and we probably will still do it until we see business picking back up."

The Billups bank on tax incentives in the president's economic stimulus plan. They aim to help businesses to invest in new equipment this year.

Billups, "I think that it would help us, help us a lot."

John Lankford, "I got the fried green tomatoes, fried pork chops the corn bread and white beans."

So will loyal lovers of down home favorites.

Lankford, "Small businesses are what drives our economy so hopefully we'll work our way out of it as we always do. Small businesses will make it. That's what our country is built on people like this and other small businesses. We'll be ok. "

The Treasury Department already sent out nearly 30 million rebate checks. Some 130 million American households should get one.

You'll find a link to answers to common questions about the stimulus plan on our homepage.

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