"It was pretty cool."
That was Jim Barnard's reaction on the invitation to the White House and Congress as guest of the President.
But, Barnard hides his excitement pretty well.
Excitement about meeting the President and the future of his business in St. Johns.
The White House issued the invitation Thursday to make Barnard part of the State of the Union as a way to show how the new economic stimulus plan can help businesses.
"It was good timing," he said of the plan, because he just bought two much-needed pieces of equipment.
The company ordered two more machines that produce axles for heavy equipment, with a $280,000 price tag.
The axles are produced for its number one buyer, Caterpillar.
"We expanded our business last year adding 27,000 square feet," Barnard says. "But held off on any purchases because of the state of the economy in general."
The plan would make this purchase easier because of the $50 billion in business tax cuts it offers.
It also helps Barnard's company, as he says, move forward.