On this Fourth of July, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we all gather for parades and fireworks, we celebrate not only America’s independence, but the enduring promise of our democracy.

America’s first great innovation wasn’t a machine or a technology. It was an idea: that every person is created equal and endowed with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That bold idea changed the world, and for 250 years Americans have worked to make those founding principles a reality for each new generation.

We’ve carried that same spirit of innovation forward — from the lightbulb to the first flight at Kitty Hawk, to breakthroughs on our farms and in our factories.

Our state brought the world everything from the Post-It note to the Pacemaker. In rural Minnesota, we have been a leader in biofuels and new forms of energy, in food production and processing, and in American-made products from Red Wing shoes to Faribault blankets.

As we mark this milestone in our nation’s history, I believe that America’s greatest strength has never been simply what we invented yesterday — it’s our determination to keep building a better tomorrow.

That’s why we need to continue to be a country that invents, grows, builds, and makes things that are exported around the world. We need to make sure that the future is made in America and built by Minnesota workers.

That means making sure innovators from all corners of our state and country — urban, suburban, and rural — have the support they need to get their business ideas off the ground.

If you talk to successful business owners, a lot of them will tell you that an early investment was key to their success. But too often, entrepreneurs in rural areas have a harder time getting those big breaks. It can take far too long to get access to capital to help open up shop or stay open.

That’s plain wrong. Think about all the entrepreneurs who have a brilliant idea but don’t have the financial resources to bring it to life, and think of all the consumers who could be missing out.

I’m working to make sure startups and small businesses have the financial support they need to keep driving our economy. One way I’m doing that is by working to expand access to the financing that entrepreneurs need to turn their business dreams into reality. I have also worked across the aisle in support of research and development tax credits that help small businesses, manufacturers, and startups invest in the next generation of American innovation.

Of course, for rural businesses to continue leading the country forward, we need a strong workforce. That’s why I’m working to expand access to apprenticeships, workforce programs, one- and two-year degrees, and other post-secondary credentials and skills training. Because we need to keep investing in the people who power our economy.

When I look across Minnesota, I see innovators and business owners thinking up new ways to take on big challenges. I see farmers feeding the world. I see workers repairing roads and building bridges. I see service members and first responders risking their lives to keep us safe.

I see people who believe in this country and in one another.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Americans dared to imagine a different future. Every generation since has added its own chapter through courage, sacrifice, ingenuity, and hard work. As we celebrate this Independence Day, let’s honor those who came before us by recommitting ourselves to building an America that creates opportunity for the next generation. That’s how we strengthen our economy and our country, and that’s how we write the next chapters in the American story. Happy Independence Day!