Sen. Gillibrand Champions Women-Owned Small Businesses in Nyack [VIDEO]

U.S. Sen. , D-NY, praised small, women-owned businesses such as in Nyack as key to the success of the nation's economy.

Gillibrand visited Maria Whittingham's store on South Broadway Thursday afternoon.

With Gillibrand are Nyack Mayor Jen Laird-White, Rockland County Legislature Chairman Harriet Cornell and U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, D-Suffern.

Gillibrand and Lowey say they want to extend targeted tax breaks for small businesses. They contend women-run small businesses are among the fastest growing segments of the economy, but start with eight times less capital.

Gillibrand urged the U.S. Senate to vote on the SUCCESS Act of 2012, legislation that would provide investors with strong incentives to invest in small business stock, double deductions for start-up expenses, purchase new equipment, and continue tax credits that small businesses can take use.

"I have been in business for 25 years in Nyack, something I am celebrating this autumn," Maria Whittingham said. "I am proud to be a woman who has found success in her chosen field. I wish my fellow female business owners every success and applaud the Senator, and her colleagues, on these efforts to extend the tax breaks for small businesses and women in particular."

"In line with our three-year growth plan, which includes expanding our brick-and-mortar business to include our web-based, e-commerce presence, we hope to take advantage of The Section 179 Expensing, an attractive incentive which we hope will benefit us in coming years," she added. "In this challenging economy, I along with other business owners, truly appreciate everything being done to help us maintain our livelihoods while hopefully expanding our businesses and continuing to grow and serve our communities. It not only helps us and our employees but also helps keep our downtowns growing and hopefully, thriving once again."