State Rep. Fred Keller (R-Susquehanna Valley) recently met with small-business owners and employees to prepare for negotiations on COVID-19 economic relief legislation.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic and amid historic challenges, businesses across central and northeast Pennsylvania have shown ingenuity, resourcefulness, and resilience,” Keller said in a statement. “After talking with our small businesses and workers, it is clear that to return to widespread economic prosperity, we must continue to safely reopen our economy. Congress needs to do its part and pass liability protections, reduce unnecessary regulations and restrictions on our small businesses, and continue successful, targeted relief measures like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for the hardest-hit industries.”
Keller met with members of the chambers of commerce for Centre County, the Juniata River Valley, and Williamsport/Lycoming, and held a roundtable with the employees of Priority Bicycles and Pine Ridge Construction. He also toured Linde Corporation’s facility.
The business leaders discussed how effective the PPP is for keeping employees on the payroll and emphasized the need for additional PPP funding, especially for the industries hardest hit by the pandemic.
Keller also heard from business owners concerned about Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide mandate further restricting bar and restaurant operations.
Keller also discussed the need for liability protections.