Critical COVID-19 Economic Programs Discussed

CORNWALL – Recently, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) met with leadership from the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum to discuss the importance of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) pandemic relief programs – like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum utilized a PPP loan in the spring of 2020, which helped keep staff employed throughout the pandemic.

Congress and the Biden White House are currently working to advance another round of emergency coronavirus relief legislation – the American Rescue Plan Act – which contains billions in emergency aid for small businesses and expands the program to provide targeted assistance for restaurants other hard-hit establishments.

“The Paycheck Protection Program and other SBA programs have been a real shot in the arm for our small businesses and nonprofits during this pandemic, and the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum is a great example of that. With assistance from this critical program the museum was able to keep workers on the payroll even during this tough time.

“I encourage every small business and nonprofit in the Hudson Valley to take advantage of these largely-forgivable loan programs today,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.

“The outdoors have become a refuge for so many since the beginning of the pandemic, and being there for our community, especially for children, remains our priority. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has enabled us to keep our staff employed as they continue to adapt and reconfigure programming in order to safely meet the needs of children and their families. These funds have allowed us to be of help when we were needed most,” said Joanna Marvel, Communications and Marketing Manager, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum.

Following the passage of a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package in December – which Rep. Maloney supported – the Small Business Administration (SBA) expanded and reopened the popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bipartisan bill provided an additional $284 billion for the PPP, reopening the program for first-time applicants and expanding it to allow second draw loans for harder hit businesses. It also provided an additional $20 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program grants targeted to low-income communities. The program was altered to better support nonprofits, independent restaurants, live-venue operators, local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters.

In its first tranche of funding, the PPP helped 11,070 small businesses and non-profits in New York’s 18th Congressional District retain 96,488 workers on their payrolls during the pandemic.

The Paycheck Protection Program closes March 31, 2021. Small business owners and nonprofits with questions about the program are encouraged to call Rep. Maloney’s Newburgh office: 845-561-1259 for assistance. To-date, Rep. Maloney’s office has helped over 300 small businesses with questions about the SBA’s pandemic relief programs.