Congressman Joe Wilson held a press conference at Mooneyhan’s Auto Service in West Columbia Monday to congratulate owner Bill Monneyhan on the expansion of the small business.

Wilson and Mooneyhan said the plans to expand the shop are directly related to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“We are planning to add employees and expand,” said Mooneyhan. He then thanked Wilson for supporting tax cuts and being a friend to small business. Wilson said he chose Mooneyhan’s for a tax cut press release because Mooneyhan told him he is going to add another work bay because of the tax cuts.

Ben Homeyer, state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, was also on hand. He said Mooneyhan’s is a great example of a small business at its best. Homeyer also said the new tax cuts are providing significant tax relief, and that will lead to growth and increased productivity.

Wilson also cited other Lexington County businesses, including Nephron Pharmaceuticals and CMC Steel for announcing bonuses and pay raises for employees as a result of federal tax cut legislation that was passed at the end of 2017.

Wilson touted GDP growth, reduced unemployment rates and an 8,000-point spike in the stock market since Donald Trump was elected president.

Wilson said he got an immediate and positive response from constituents with the passage of tax cut legislation.

“Ninety percent will keep more of their own money,” because of the tax cuts, “said Wilson.