United States Senator Joni Ernst made a stop in Guthrie County Thursday as part of her 99-County Tour, as she visited the Guthrie Center Activity Center.

Ernst is serving on the Senate Small Business Committee, and will be acting as the ranking member because of the seniority she has on the committee. Ernst is unsure what other committees she’ll be part of, but hopes to work with the same ones as last session. During her visit, she talked with several small business owners and representatives.

Attendees talked about some issues they were facing, and asked Ernst what could be done. She took time to answer the questions that were asked, touching on topics such as supply chain and water quality issues, quality of workforce, trouble finding teachers, world currency, fuel and inflation problems.

At the end of the meeting, Ernst presented a Small Business of the Week Award to Grant Sheeder and Guthrie County Quality Meats. She said that the Small Business Committee awards them every year, and she was excited to present the first one of this session to an Iowa business.