Congressman Hank Johnson hosts emergency PPP virtual town hall for small businesses

Pictured: Congressman Hank Johnson (front row), SBA’s Georgia District Director Terri Denison and Ruby Reisinger, area director of UGA’s Small Business Development Center

DEKALB, GA–Congressman Hank Johnson (GA04) on Thursday, March 4, held a virtual town hall meeting for small businesses in the Fourth District to provide updates on the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (known as PPP) and other available resources.

Guest speakers included Terri Denison, Georgia District Director for the Small Business Administration, and Ruby Reisinger, area director of the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center.

“It’s time for the smallest of small businesses to gain the access and capital they deserve and need to survive this pandemic,” said Johnson. “From voting and passing the CARES Act, to the American Rescue Plan, I’m proud to stand with members of Congress in D.C. and community partners here at home to make sure businesses have access to these critical funds.”

Some provisions in the American Rescue Plan that were discussed during Johnson’s virtual town hall include:

• Crucial support to help the hardest-hit small businesses keep their doors open – especially those owned by entrepreneurs from racial and ethnic backgrounds that have experienced systemic discrimination in receiving assistance from the $15 billion in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) grants, expanded PPP eligibility and an additional $7.25 billion in funding,
• Resources to protect the jobs of first responders, frontline public health workers, teachers, transit workers and other essential workers

To view the virtual town hall and learn more about how small businesses may be able to receive assistance, visit: https://fb.watch/42beH54gyp/