Coal Region News

Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation issued the following announcement on Sept. 20.

Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) was awarded the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Legislative Small Business Champion Award for his advocacy on behalf of small business owners as well as his work on the House Small Business Committee. The award was presented during a roundtable with Small Business Development Centers from across Pennsylvania’s Ninth District and the surrounding area as well as their small business clients including:

• Rob Patterson of Spices Inc. in Elysburg, PA,
• Heather Clark of Go Fish! Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Sinking Spring
• George Whibley of A&B Sunrooms and Remodeling in Plains, PA 

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and employ 2.5 million Pennsylvanians, nearly half of all of Pennsylvania’s workforce. They have faced many challenges over the last 18 months including shutdowns, worker shortages due to enhanced unemployment compensation and increased inflation, just to name a few. Early on, the federal government responded to these challenges with the Paycheck Protection Program which provided over 7,000 loans that supported nearly 80,000 jobs in Pennsylvania’s Ninth District. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I will continue to advocate on behalf of Pennsylvania’s dedicated small business owners and entrepreneurs, especially as they continue to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.” -Congressman Dan Meuser

The Small Business Development Center roundtable brought together SBDC directors and small business owners from throughout the Ninth District to discuss their journeys and share their experiences as they continue to recover from the pandemic. The SBDC’s and their clients discussed the important relationship they share and how SBDC’s were able to assist their clients in applying for essential resources. 

Congressman Meuser is the Republican Leader of the Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. As leader of the subcommittee, Congressman Meuser has advocated for small businesses across America who have suffered from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. He continues to champion for small businesses by promoting pro-growth policies that remove red tape and improve access to capital for America’s small businesses owners. 

About the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center (SBDC):

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) supports Pennsylvania’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs and small businesses with individual consultations, comprehensive education, and information necessary to help their businesses start, grow, and prosper. SBDCs deliver consulting services and educational programs through a network of 16 locations across Pennsylvania SBDC. Consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-to-one sessions to help them with issues, including new business development, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more. SBDCs also address concerns about navigating and recovering during the COVID-19 crisis. Additional services include helping with disaster loan applications, long-term planning, economic loss estimations, and business preparedness. For more information on the Pennsylvania SBDC services and impact, please visit www.pasbdc.org.

Original source can be found here.