MOSES LAKE - Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., talked about tax code revisions, Grant County's business attributes and the presidential race during his tour of Moses Lake's Laserfab plant Thursday.

Laserfab, a metal fabrication company, has facilities in Moses Lake, Puyallup and Renton.

The company employs a total of about 50 people in the three locations.

It is one of the largest suppliers to Genie Industries, an aerial lift plant manufacturer located in Moses Lake and Redmond.

Hastings said he tries to see as many different activities and businesses as he can when he's home during the district work period.

He met with Laserfab President/CEO Kevin Frazer and the company's plant director, Tom Neil.

After the tour, Hastings said he was impressed with the plant because it is a diversification from the area's agricultural economy.

One main issue for businesses is making revisions in the tax code. When a business like Laserfab buys equipment, it wants to write it off on their taxes, Hastings said.

"I think the biggest impediment for the small business sector is the uncertainty of the tax code," Hastings commented.

Frazer said he agreed the issue is important to his business.

Hastings said they will have a recommendation coming forth to reform the tax code, but it won't pass this year.

It sets the template for what comes after the election, Hastings explained.

Despite the economy, Frazer said his business is fortunate to be busy.

"We're glad to be here," Frazer said. "We are good support to the local community."

There are five other Genie support companies in the same business park as Laserfab.

They are Farwest Steel Corporation, Metron Powdercoating, Moses Lake Precision Machining and Fastenal, which employ a total of about 30 people.

Frazer explained Laserfab has a long-standing history with Genie.

"We're excited about the growth," he said of the Moses Lake area. "We're kind of wondering when Boeing is going to show up. It seems to me a natural. You have the infrastructure."

Hastings said the biggest thing with Boeing is labor issues.

Grant County has so much to offer with the Grant County International Airport, he said.

In the last 10 years, his district grew by 90,000 people. It means people are discovering the area, which boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually and no natural disasters.

"I really think Moses Lake will see more growth here," Hastings said.

Frazer said they embrace growth. He wants to encourage local chambers and different organizations to keep an open mind about growth.

The talk then turned to politics.

Frazer asked how Republicans could gain control of the state again.

Hastings pointed out that Republican presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney were visiting Washington state. Gingrich stopped at the Tri-Cities Thursday and Romney was expected sometime next week.

Frazer asked Hastings who he would endorse.

Hastings said he had not endorsed anyone, as the public doesn't need an elected official telling them who to look at.

But he will support the GOP nominee.

"We need to change the leadership," he said. "This is the process."

Hastings' next stop was a luncheon at the Othello Rotary Club.