Photo Release: Blunt Rochester Visits Wilmington-Based, Woman-Owned Small Business To Highlight Women's History Month

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) joined the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Delaware Director, Michelle Harris, and local small business and community leaders for a visit to The Juice Joint, a woman-owned juice bar and eatery in Wilmington, to highlight the importance of women-owned Delaware businesses for Women's History Month. Joining Blunt Rochester and Director Harris for the visit were Sara Crawford, Director of the Women's Business Center at TrueAccess Capital, Yvette Biggs, Board Member for the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, Tamara Earle, Owner of Delectablez, and the Juice Joint owner Lanice Wilson.

Wilson's original plans to open the juice bar in March 2020 were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to open safely, the Juice Joint worked with the Women's Business Center at TrueAccess Capitol to receive SBA-backed funding through the SBA's microloan program. Additionally, the Juice Joint received $22,301.62 from the federally funded Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which Blunt Rochester voted to pass as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021. "The Juice Joint' maintains a mission of community support and dedicates time to mentoring up-and-coming black entrepreneurs in the state.

"Support for Delaware's small businesses has never been more important, especially our women-owned businesses like the Juice Joint in Wilmington," said Blunt Rochester. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we need to provide them with the resources to be successful as they continue to reopen and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. That's why I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan Act that brought relief to millions of American families and businesses through programs like the Restaurant Revitalization Fund."

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