Main Street Alliance on the State of the Union
March 2, 2022
In reaction to President Biden’s State of the Union speech last night, Co-Executive Director of Main Street Alliance Chanda Causer had this to say:
“Last night, President Biden spoke directly to the American people about the progress of the last year in the face of deep challenges, as well as his optimism for the future. The Biden-Harris economic strategy is producing historic results, in large part due to the public investment of the American Rescue Plan. Entrepreneurship and business investment rebounded, and the economy achieved its fastest job growth in American history. Six million small businesses were supported, and over 5 million new ones were created. It's important to emphasize that this progress is occurring amidst an historic shift from the old, outdated trickle-down approach to one that centers workers, families, and what small businesses need - public investment.
Main Street Alliance Applauds President Biden Signing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act- Urges Congress to Take Up the Build Back Better Act Immediately
November 15, 2021
In response to President Biden signing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law today, Co-Executive Director of Main Street Alliance, Chanda Causer, had this to say:
“The Infrastructure Act’s critical investments in our roads, bridges, supply chains, and broadband networks, particularly important for our rural small businesses, are needed to rebuild the economy and support entrepreneurs across the country. Main Street Alliance and our member businesses applaud President Biden for signing the Infrastructure Act into law. We are particularly supportive of the law-making permanent and expanding the Minority Business Development Agency - the only federal agency solely dedicated to supporting minority-owned businesses. With the passage of the IIJA and continued legislative movement on Build Back Better, we are on the precipice of a more equitable economy….
Main Street Alliance Reacts to the Build Back Better Framework
October 28, 2021
On the release of the White House framework for the Build Back Better plan today, Main Street Alliance Co-Executive Director Chanda Causer had this to say:
“Main Street Alliance supports progress on the framework for the Build Back Better plan as the final deal begins to take shape. In partnership, the Build Back Better Agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will make critical investments we need to build our economy and rebuild our communities. The President’s legislative agenda will invest in our nation’s future and build an economy that rewards work, not wealth, by lowering costs for working people, supporting small businesses, and creating millions of new good-paying jobs.
Budget Resolution passage brings us one step closer to an equitable recovery for America's Main Streets
August 24, 2021
“Small businesses applaud the historic investment in our care economy outlined in the budget resolution and thank the House members who voted to move both pieces of critical legislation forward. It is time to invest in our overall care infrastructure. Small businesses are demanding these programs, like paid leave and child care, that will help ease the burden of high costs on working families and support entrepreneurs. It's past time to level this playing field. An investment in our overall care economy is an investment in small businesses and our local community.
American Families Plan Invests in the Care Infrastructure Needed for a Strong Economic Recovery
On the release of the American Families Plan today, the second half the of Biden-Harris administration’s Build Back Better Agenda, Main Street Alliance Executive Director Stephen Michael had this to say:
“Small businesses across the nation applaud the serious investment in critical care infrastructure included in the American Families Plan.
With a bold national plan for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, significant new investments to make child care more affordable -- including support for the Child Care for Working Families Act as well as extensions to tax credits for child care and the EITC -- President Biden is acknowledging the importance of care infrastructure in keeping our economy competitive as small businesses and working families work to build back better….
Small Businesses Applaud President Biden's Announcement of expanded emergency paid leave credits for vaccinations
April 21, 2021
On the President Biden’s announcement of expanded paid leave credits for vaccinations, Main Street Alliance Programs Director Cynthia Ward Wikstrom had this to say:
“Small business owners know, and last year has certainly shown - that community health and economic health go hand in hand. A robust vaccination effort will be key to our full recovery. The extension of the emergency paid leave tax credit through the fall ensures small business owners can offer paid leave to our employees for COVID-related care needs, including getting critical vaccines. We applaud President Biden’s statement today drawing attention to this program and new information on how small business owners can access the program. This program is a hidden gem that every small business owner needs to know exists. Emergency paid leave has been critical for small business owners and their employees across the country. We also applaud President Biden’s inclusion of a permanent paid leave program in the Administration Build Back Better agenda as paid leave and investments in our care infrastructure are key to building a more resilient economy.”
As American Rescue Plan passes final political steps, small businesses are relieved and preparing for long road ahead
On the House reconciliation of the American Rescue Plan today and final bill headed to President Biden's desk, Main Street Alliance Government Affairs Director Didier Trinh had this to say:
“The American Rescue Plan will provide bold and critical relief to our nation’s Main Streets, both for small businesses and their customers and communities. We urge President Biden to sign and implement this as quickly as possible.
There are many pieces of this critical, comprehensive plan centered on public health and economic recovery that are particularly important to small businesses.
Small Businesses Applaud House Passage of American Rescue Plan, Want Senate to Keep the Bill as Strong
On the House passage of the American Rescue Plan today, Main Street Alliance Government Affairs Director Didier Trinh had this to say:
“Passing the American Rescue Plan has given small businesses on their last legs hope that we can make it through this crisis. We urge swift passage, in full, by the Senate to get needed relief to those who need it most.
There are many pieces of this critical, comprehensive plan centered on public health and economic recovery that are particularly important to small businesses.
Biden Administration Announces Fix for Paycheck Protection Program that will Boost Relief for Black and Latino-Owned Businesses
The Biden Administration's updates to the PPP are a welcome recognition of the major gaps and challenges to the program. These updates will help expand access, but more is needed to support small businesses. From retroactive application of these updates, to flexible grants outside the PPP program itself we look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to center Black, brown, women-owned and our smallest business owner needs, who have been disproportionately impacted by both the crisis and least likely to receive support.
White House Commitment to Smallest and Minority-owned Businesses Key to Solving Economic Crisis
The investment in supporting small businesses through the relief programs must also be matched with a long-term commitment to expanding equitable access to capital and increased technical assistance to support new and growing small businesses after the crisis. The COVID crisis has revealed and exacerbated pre-existing barriers to capital for such firms, including small business redlining, usury credit rates and practices, and lack of other supports and technical assistance needed to launch and grow a successful business. Main Street Alliance has outlined key small business priorities for this immediate crisis, and beyond, and looks forward to working with the administration to implement these priorities.
Inauguration Day: Amid crisis, small businesses look to a brighter future
“Main Street Alliance congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on a historic day. Small businesses look forward to working with this new team on policies that support communities and level the playing field for small businesses.
It has been a long road to this moment, and small businesses still stand in the midst of a crisis. The Biden-Harris administration will be facing significant challenges as they begin their term, but Main Street is hopeful for a brighter future.
Small Business Have Needed a Comprehensive Plan - Biden Response Set to Deliver
On President-elect Biden’s announcement of an emergency coronavirus response plan Thursday, Main Street Alliance Government Affairs Director Didier Trinh had this to say:
“Small businesses across the country are breathing a sigh of relief at the announcement of a critical, comprehensive plan that centers public health and economic recovery.
The targeted small business grant support included in Biden’s plan is still desperately needed and cannot come soon enough. Investment in programs that will not only directly support public health, but will also provide the financial runway to support communities through this crisis is key.
Biden economic team nominees must center small business needs in this crisis, and beyond
On the announcement of Biden’s economic team nominations, Main Street Alliance Government Affairs Director Didier Trinh had this to say:
“Main Street Alliance congratulates Small Business Administration nominee Isabel Casillas Guzman, Commerce Secretary nominee Gov. Gina Raimondo, and Deputy Commerce Secretary nominee Don Graves on their nominations. They, along with others nominated to support the economic team, will bring their expertise and experience to one of the most trying economic crises of our generation.
Biden meets with Main Street Alliance small business owner and impacted American workers
Today, Milwaukee based restaurateur and Main Street Alliance member Dan Jacobs met virtually with President-elect Joe Biden and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss the urgent need for financial support for small businesses and American households.