-Brings Together Small Business Owners, Experts for Seminar on New Federal Aid for Businesses-
Yorktown Heights, NY – Joined by Westchester County's small businesses owners, U.S. Rep. John Hall today hosted a seminar to help them access new and expanded Federal aid. This workshop featured small business experts who explained the new small business assistance programs offered by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and how to access them. Today's seminar was the one of several small business seminars Rep. Hall is holding throughout the Hudson Valley.
"Small businesses are the driving force behind the Hudson Valley's economy," said Hall. "We can't expect to get our economy moving again without first offering a hand to Main Street businesses. I want our local businesses to know what help is out there and how they can go about getting it."
The recently-enacted Recovery Package provides significant opportunities and benefits for small businesses. It addresses aspects of the credit crunch, provides tax incentives and creates financing opportunities that will help create jobs.
"The federal government has taken a very important step in approving the stimulus package," said Arnaldo Sehwerert, Ph.D., Director of the Mid-Hudson Region Small Business Development Center and speaker at today's seminar. "We at SBDC welcome Congressman Hall's initiative in getting the word out to small businesses in the region so that they can not only benefit from the package but become part of the solution to bring back economic prosperity to our communities."
Today's seminar included presentations by representatives from the local Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), along with opportunities to speak individually with representatives from the Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Chambers of Commerce and other local agencies. Specific measures of the ARRA directed at the Small Business Administration were discussed, as well as advice on preparing for procurement opportunities the ARRA is expected to generate. The agencies present also shared resources available to assist small businesses, including an overview of loan and finance programs, technical assistance, and other services.
"Yorktown's small businesses play an important role in maintaining our town's economic vitality and welfare," said Don Peters, Yorktown Supervisor and Moderator of tomorrow's event. "Our small business owners are faced with new and unique challenges during these economic times, so I am thrilled that Congressman Hall has organized this event. I think it will prove to be a huge help for our small businesses, and that benefits us all."
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