Rep. Delgado Brings Small Business Administrator Guzman to Upstate New York to Hear Directly from Local Small Businesses

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) was joined by the U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Guzman to visit small businesses and speak with local business owners in Cooperstown, NY. Congressman Delgado and Administrator Guzman highlighted the local impacts of the American Rescue Plan and discussed how to continue supporting small businesses in upstate New York.

Rep. Delgado and Administrator Guzman were joined by local officials, including Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh and Otsego County Treasurer Allen Ruffles. The group visited the Cooperstown Distillery, Cooperstown Bat, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After the small business tours, Delgado and Guzman met with the Congressman's locally-based Small Business Advisory Committee, giving upstate small businesses an opportunity to speak directly with the SBA Administrator. The conversation covered various SBA programs, as well as child care, affordable housing, wages, costs, and supply chain issues.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our upstate economies," said Rep. Delgado. "From restaurants, to manufacturers, to mom-and-pop shops, local businesses are woven into the fabric of our communities and make our Main Streets what they are. That's why we needed programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which served as lifelines for folks during the past two years. In order for our communities to thrive, we must invest in our small businesses and ensure they have what they need to keep their doors open. I am glad that SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman was able to visit New York and hear directly from our small business owners. I thank her for the work she has done to support our small businesses, and I remain committed to ensuring New York's small business community has the resources and support they need."

"We're rebuilding a better America by making more products here at home, and businesses like Cooperstown Distilling and Cooperstown Bat are helping to lead the way," said SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman. "My thanks to Congressman Delgado for leading a great tour of Otsego County to visit with these manufacturers, as well as a cross section of small businesses and local leaders to share their successes, challenges and opportunities so we can ensure that the SBA stands ready to support. And of course our visit wouldn't have been complete without visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which helps anchor Cooperstown's iconic Main Street and celebrate the critical support they achieved from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which allowed them to continue connecting people to the history and future of America's pastime. The SBA is pleased to work in partnership to continue to support local businesses in New York and across the country and to connecting them with the resources they need to start, grow and thrive."

"I truly appreciate Congressman Delgado and his interest in our area, manufacturing, and upstate New York, and the time he spends with us up here," said Owner of Cooperstown Bat Tim Haney. "I feel like a little manufacturing facility in Hartwick has a voice. He keeps introducing us to people that matter, like meeting with the SBA Administrator today. I like the fact that Rep. Delgado thinks of us up here, which is a big part for me -- I feel like we often get overlooked."

"Congressman Delgado provides critical support to his District and in particular rural communities such as Cooperstown. His Direct Support for Communities Act, which was incorporated in Covid relief funding, was the only funding available to villages like ours with a small population," said Mayor of Cooperstown Ellen Tillapaugh. "He is no stranger to our community - in the fall he hosted a "Made In America' roundtable at the Cooperstown Bat Company and his Made Here Act will advance American manufacturing and create jobs. As a member of the House's Small Business Committee, he delivers needed support to our business economy, this forum today illustrates his accessibility and willingness to stay informed, listen to his constituents and deliver needed programs."

"We are very excited about the visit from our representatives today," said Owner and Distiller of the Cooperstown Distillery Gene Marra. "It is a great opportunity for us to showcase our establishment and demonstrate what government funding can do in assisting local businesses to grow and thrive. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and having access to this money for improvements and infrastructure is tantamount to our future success. Being able to actually show the representatives where the actual funds were spent simply validates their purpose. And it goes without saying it is sincerely appreciated and we feel "well spent"."

"Each year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Cooperstown, where they are inspired and educated by our National Pastime and fall in love with the charm of this village," said Josh Rawitch, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "As they tour the vibrant businesses in Cooperstown, we are pleased and honored to welcome Congressman Antonio Delgado and Administrator Isabella Guzman to the Hall of Fame, which has carried out its mission to Preserve History, Honor Excellence and Connect Generations for more than 80 years. We thank the Congressman and Administrator for their continued support."

"I think it's a great event to have in our district and I appreciate the Congressman having members of the Administration come from Washington to meet our business leaders and our businesspeople," said member of Delgado's Small Business Advisory Committee and Greene County Chamber of Commerce Member Jeff Friedman. "I think that's immensely important for the success of this area and its ability to grow and bringing someone like the Administrator down from the SBA gives us an opportunity to bring our concerns directly to Washington as well as find more ways to help our businesses thrive."

"We all appreciate Congressman Delgado's continued dedication to our community," said Otsego County Treasurer Allen Ruffles. "We were thrilled he was able to bring Isabella Guzman to showcase the amazing businesses we have in our area. Thank you Congressman for your hard work and being not only contactable, but always visible in our area."

As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Rep. Delgado has consistently worked to deliver for small businesses and ensure they were supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit, Delgado fought for relief programs like the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and more. Since the beginning of his time in Congress, Delgado has lifted up the voices of small businesses in his district by regularly meeting with small business owners and his locally-based Small Business Advisory Committee.

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