A Conversation on Growth, Investment, and U.S.–Türkiye Opportunity
At a winter gathering hosted by the National Republican Congressional Committee, Hülya Erol-Garvett renewed a conversation that has become increasingly relevant for Turkish American business leaders: how to align local economic growth in the United States with broader international opportunity.
Meeting with Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Texas, Ms. Erol-Garvett engaged in a forward-looking discussion centered on investment, competitiveness, and the role of partnerships in shaping regional economies.
Representative Moran, who serves Texas’s 1st Congressional District, brings a background that bridges military training, business education, and public service. A graduate of West Point, he later earned degrees in business and law from Texas Tech and held leadership roles in Northeast Texas, including on the Tyler City Council and as Smith County Judge. Today, in Congress, he sits on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, where tax policy is shaped, and contributes to the Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China—a signal of how economic policy and global strategy increasingly intersect.
A Shared Focus: Practical Growth in a Competitive World
The conversation centered on policies that move beyond theory and into implementation—tools that communities like East Texas, and by extension globally connected regions, can use to attract sustained investment.
Among the priorities discussed:
- Pro-growth tax policy, including full expensing, support for small business income through the Qualified Business Income deduction, and incentives that reward innovation through research and development.
- Regulatory efficiency, particularly the need to streamline permitting and reduce barriers that delay infrastructure, energy, and commercial projects.
- Export-driven growth, recognizing that American businesses increasingly compete—and succeed—on a global stage.
- Targeted regional investment, through initiatives similar to “Opportunity Zones,” designed to unlock capital in underserved but high-potential areas.
While these priorities are shaped in Washington, the discussion also emphasized that many tools already exist today. Federal, state, and local programs—from Opportunity Zones to SBA financing and Texas-based economic development initiatives—are actively supporting entrepreneurs and investors willing to engage.
Why This Matters for TCUSAPAC and Turkish Americans
For TCUSAPAC members and Turkish American professionals, the conversation reflects a broader reality: local economic policy in the United States is increasingly tied to global opportunity.
Türkiye’s position as a strategic trade partner, combined with the entrepreneurial strength of the Turkish American community, creates a natural bridge between regional U.S. economies and international markets. Conversations like this one highlight how policy, when paired with private-sector initiative, can translate into real-world investment, job creation, and cross-border collaboration.
Just as importantly, these engagements reinforce the role of Turkish Americans not only as participants in the U.S. economy, but as contributors to its global reach.
Looking Ahead
As Washington continues to debate tax policy, trade strategy, and regulatory reform, maintaining direct dialogue with policymakers remains essential. The exchange between Ms. Erol-Garvett and Congressman Moran underscored a shared understanding: economic growth is strongest when it is both locally grounded and globally connected.
For TCUSAPAC, that principle remains central—building durable economic bridges between the United States and Türkiye, and ensuring that Turkish American voices are part of the conversation shaping the future of both.
Programs & incentives mentioned (actionable resources)
- Opportunity Zones (IRS FAQ): IRS — Opportunity Zones FAQ
- USDA Rural Development (loans, grants, business support): USDA Rural Development
- SBA funding programs (loans + investment programs): SBA — Funding Programs
- Texas incentives and business programs: Texas Economic Development & Incentives
- East Texas local development resource: Tyler Economic Development Council (TEDC)