CHAMBER HANDS OUT PPE ON METRO

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Queens Chamber, Crifasi said he’s telling other business owners to reach out to the chamber for help. He said owners need more resources like online classes and seminars to survive the pandemic.

“I made my money here,” Crifasi added, “and I feel like giving back to the neighborhood and the Queens community.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng attended the PPE distribution event and spoke to business owners as well. She said though New York City is no longer in the peak of the pandemic, businesses should be equipped with the proper PPE to feel safe enough to come back.

“I’m proud to work with the Queens Chamber to meet the businesses and meet people where they are, where the need is,” Meng said. “That’s why we’re doing this not only here in Middle Village, but around the district as well.”

The congresswoman is a co-sponsor of the Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act, which would create a fund for food and drinking establishments that have suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic.

The bill would establish a $120 billion restaurant stabilization grant program, which would provide aid to cover the difference between revenues from 2019 and projected revenues through 2020. The maximum grant amount is $10 million.

Caterers would be included in the program, but not publicly traded restaurants or chains with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name. The fund also sets aside $60 million for traditionally marginalized or underrepresented communities, such as women, veteran and minority-owned enterprises.

The grants, which would be administered by the Treasury Department, could cover payroll, benefits, mortgage, rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies, debt obligations and other expenses deemed essential. Meng said the legislation has many co-sponsors already and is bipartisan because “everyone has struggling small businesses and restaurants in their districts.”

The Queens lawmaker added that she hopes the RESTAURANTS Act will be included in the next version of the federal stimulus package, which she said is “way overdue.” She said though the House already passed a second package, she hopes the Senate will follow suit.

“I think the Senate needs to feel the urgency of what everyday constituents are feeling,” Meng said. “I hope that they understand how dire the situation is for so many people who literally can’t pay their rent or mortgage.”

Queens Chamber staff give out bags of PPE to business owners.

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