Queens Congressional delegation reaches out to small businesses

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and other members of the Queens Congressional delegation spoke to borough small business owners on Tuesday. Eagle file photo by Andy Katz

By Victoria Merlino

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and a group of Queens congressmembers connected with the borough’s small business community Tuesday, providing resources, relief information and words of encouragement amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Reps. Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Carolyn Maloney, Hakeem Jeffries and Tom Suozzi joined more than 150 small businesses on a conference call to explain the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last month. 

The package, known as the CARES Act, includes multiple provisions for small businesses, including payroll support, disaster loans, emergency grants and small business debt relief. 

Meeks discussed the act’s payroll protection program, or PPP, and a $10,000 grant program.

“All of the Queens delegation wants to be able to assist you in accessing the dollars that were put into the PPP,” Meeks said. “There’s also a $10,000 grant program that you can apply for immediately.” 

Businesses across Queens have been gravely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with most storefronts, venues and restaurants in the borough shuttering by state and city.

“This is not just in helping us get out the word about loans and grants that we have created — but also helping with equipment and supplies for our local hospitals,” Meng said. “Please utilize me as a resource in continuing to get out this information to our communities.” 

“My office and I will work with anybody that has problems getting a loan,” Maloney added. “If you are in my district, call me, and I will work with you, and with the bank, to get things rolling.”