May 30th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, recently concluded a series of conversations with leaders from rural localities across Maryland about the ways in which Maryland can best achieve its public health and economic recovery goals. Cardin and the local tourism and economic development officials discussed a wide range of concerns related to COVID-19 closures and re-openings, including issues related to inadequate coronavirus testing, federal small business programs, unemployment compensation, labor shortages, liability protections and broadband internet connectivity. The senator and participants also discussed potential strategies for making up significant shortfalls in county and municipal budgets impacted by lost economic activity resulting from COVID-19 quarantines.
“In rural parts of Maryland, small businesses and tourism are the backbone of the local economy, and we must find safe and creative ways to bolster their strength,” said Senator Cardin. “By focusing federal relief and stimulus on the smallest small businesses and nonprofits, establishing a national testing and contact tracing strategy, and by taking decisive steps to ensure that even our most rural communities are well served by broadband internet, we can begin to seed – and speed – a lasting, statewide recovery effort.”
“Tourism/hospitality has been one of the hardest hit industries by the pandemic. The shutdown means no revenue is coming in for these businesses and thousands of workers are unemployed. For a community like Garrett County that is heavily dependent on tourism, the impacts are devastating,” said Nicole Christian, President and CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “Add on top of that the lack of broadband and high-speed internet, and our community has been dealt a crushing blow. The residents of Garrett County are strong and resilient, but there is no way we can recover without assistance from the federal government. Having the opportunity for an open dialogue with our congressional delegates, like the one we had with Senator Cardin earlier this week, helps to talk through the true impacts of the crisis and work together on solutions. It’s the only way we will rebuild our economy.”
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May 30, 2020 at 10:25 am, Dave said:
Seriously Nicole Christian? “There is no way we can recover without assistance from the federal government”, this may be a poor choice of words but if that is what you truly believe then how do you ever think this country got to be the economic power that it is? Can the federal government help? Of course, but what made this country the leader of the world is it’s people that take chances to gain wealth and grow our economy dissipate the government nosing in with their “help”. The government gives with one hand and takes with another. Don’t EVER believe no matter how well intentioned, that anything from the government comes without strings attached. They WANT you depended on them and if you believe they would use that power you don’t know history. A borrower (or receiver) are a slave to the lender (or giver) especially if it is the government.
May 30, 2020 at 10:49 am, mac said:
In other words she wants the Feds to throw money at the motels and restaurants that aren’t being filled with tourists.
Here’s an idea, send in the National Guard and use the motels as barracks. The mess hall would be replaced with any of the numerous quaint bistros serving delicious meals for the hungry troops.